
Class j-IY^6 

Book /T^ 7*^ 
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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 



LIFE-WORK 

OF 

LOUIS KLOPSCH 

ROMANCE OF A MODERN 
KNIGHT OF MERCY 



BY 

CHARLES M. PEPPER 



WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS 



Send your ships with corn and wheat. 
Bid our starving thousands eat. 

... At his command 
Corn-bearing ships to famine lands set sail 
Our country's banners flying at the mast. 



THE CHRISTIAN HERALD 

New York 



i^p^ 



Copyright, 1910 
By The Chbistian Herald 



(gCLA<!751?G2 



A FOREWORD 

1 FIRST met Louis Klopsch on a bright day in 
August, 1882. I was just out of college and had 
come to New York to offer my services to one of the 
great journals on Park Row. There had been doubt 
in my mind as to whether I should give my assistance 
to Mr. Dana of the Sun or Mr. Hurlburt of the World 
or Mr, Bennett of the Herald or Mr. Jones of the 
Times. That doubt no longer existed, for none of 
these gentlemen had been willing to consider my talents, 
or even to let me hear the sound of their voices. 

I was well out of hope and courage when I called 
at 92 White Street, agreeably with the request of Louis 
Klopsch, then the proprietor of a trade journal. I 
showed him my letters. 

''What salary do you expect?'' he asked. 

"7 would begin at ten dollars a week,'' I said. 

" You may try the work, and if your services are 
satisfactory, I'll start you at fifteen a week," he 
answered. 

With this generous act he came into my life. To 
my mind it was princely, magnificent; and I do remem- 
ber well that it was good business. It gave me the key- 
note of his character. Next day I turned in my first 
copy. I recall how it amused and delighted him. 
His recognition was not less generous than his pay. 

We were friends from that day, and in the twenty- 



VI A FOREWORD 

seven years of life that remained to him I was to see 
Louis Klopsch under most of the moods and circum- 
stances that come to men, I never saw him refuse an 
appeal for help or turn a deaf ear to the voice of trouble. 
The vilest man who walked the streets could halt his 
hurried step and engage his thought and get a meal 
ticket on a plea of hunger. The man who worked for 
him faithfully was his brother. The troubles of that 
man were a part of the troubles of Louis Klopsch, His 
money and his great talents went beyond all reasonable 
generosity in his behalf. 

^'Find out how much you owe and Til see what I 
can do for you'' I have often heard him say to such 
men, as a prelude to a plan of financing their debts. 

He was constantly taking upon himself the burdens 
of other men and just for the love of making them happy. 
He lifted mortgages, paid life insurance premiums, 
and took up notes by way of meeting the emergencies 
of those he knew, 

I remember a time in my own business life, when 
reverses had come. He sent a substantial check, all 
unsolicited, having heard that I was in need of help, 
and he said: " If you're ever able to return this money, 
all right. If not — all right." 

But he was in no sense ''easy," as they put it these 
days. No man ever had keener eyes or a surer judgment 
of men. There may be those who cherish a secret 
notion that they had fooled him in one way or another; 
but it was they who were fooled — not Louis Klopsch, 
I do not remember to have come in contact with any 
mind so keen, so alert, so penetrating in the affairs 
that engaged his thought. He was thoroughly modern 



A FOREWORD vu 

in his spirit He was profoundly religious, but free 
of bigotry. His religion was full of joy — so full 
that to certain old-fashioned folk it suggested effusive- 
ness. He was, indeed, very human, but he was also 
very true and genuine. He fought the good fight with 
a brave and merry heart. He gave and forgave and 
helped and loved and did as he would be done by. He 
was quite as prompt in the debts of business as in the 
debts of charity. He loved little children, especially 
those of the poor, and his chief recreation was drawn 
from the happiness that he gave them. That overflow 
of joy and gratitude at Mont-Lawn and the Bowery 
Mission were the food of his spirit. 

I have said that he was modern. There was a wel- 
come and, as I am inclined to think, a new note in his 
religion. Mainly he preached with bread; he prayed 
with human kindness; he blessed with wheat and corn. 
His best missionaries were loaded ships; his happiness 
was in mitigated pain. His week-day was as holy 
as his Sabbath, his office as consecrated as his church, 
his note of hand as binding as his creed, his business 
as sacred as his religion. He was a new and a great 
preacher. 

Irving Bacheller. 



CONTENTS 



PAGfB 



I. EARLY ACTIVITIES 

AMERICAN OPPORTUNITT EMBRACED BY YOUNG KLOPSCH " GOOD MORN- 
ING" TO THE BUSINESS WORLD — BUYS A PRINTING OFFICE PIONEER 

IN PICTORIAL JOURNALISM — APTITUDE SHOWN — SYNDICATING REV. 
T. DE WITT TALMAGE's SERMONS — TRIP TO EUROPE AND THE HOLY 

LAND PURCHASE OF " THE CHRISTIAN HERALD " THE CHOSEN 

INSTRUMENT OF A NOBLE AMBITION — FIRST FIVE YEARS REVIEWED 1 

II. RUSSIAN RELIEF 

PEASANT LIFE IN THE CZAR's VAST DOMAINS DEPENDENCE ON THE CROPS 

GREAT FAMINE OF 1892 — STORIES OF THE SUFFERING — COUNT 

TOLSTOl's DESCRIPTION — AMERICA HEARS THE HUNGER CRY "CHRIS- 
TIAN herald" CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE "cONEMAUGh" CARGO DR. 

KLOPSCH DISPATCHES THE "lEO" WITH FLOUR DR. TALMAGE AND 

HE AS ADVANCE AGENTS — THEIR RECEPTION IN ST. PETERSBURG 

WARM WELCOME TO THE RELIEF SHIP — GRATITUDE OF THE RUSSIAN 
PEOPLE — AUDIENCE WITH THE CZARE WITCH AT PETERHOF PALACE . 11 

III. ARMENIA THE MARTYR NATION 

DESCRIPTION OF THIS PART OF WESTERN ASIA AMBASSADOR BRYCe's 

ACCOUNT OF MT. ARARAT — HISTORIC CHURCH — A PERSECUTED PEOPLE 
MASSACRES OF 1894-95 DR. H.\]VILIN's APPEAL ATROCITIES AT 

trebizond — MISS Kimball's story of van — "christian herald" 

RELIEF stations — MISS SHATTUCK AT OORFA HEROIC ZEITOUNLIS 

MISSIONARY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS THRILLING INCIDENTS — CARE 

FOR THE ORPHANS MURDER AND PILLAGE AT ADANA IN 1909 DR. 

KLOPSCH EXTENDS AID TO THE SURVIVORS 28 

IV. INDIA AND HER PEOPLE 

THE HOME OP THREE HUNDRED MILLIONS — HINDUS AND MOHAMMEDANS 
— CAUSES OP THE GREAT FAAHNES — CROP FAILURE IN 1897 — MIS- 
SIONARIES CALL FOR HELP BISHOP THOBURN — STEAMER " EVERETT " 

DISPATCHED BY DR. KLOPSCH — "CHRISTIAN HERALD " REMITTANCES 
TALES OF SUFFERING RELIEVED PLAN FOLLOWED THANKS MEMO- 
RIAL IN THE TAMIL LANGUAGE GREETING FROM THE METHODISTS 

GOOD DONE THROUGH THE FUND ACCOUNTING FOR $400,000 

AMBASSADOR PAUNCEFOTE CONVEYS INDIa's THANKS 53 

V. THE GREAT INDIA FAMINE RELIEF 

WHEN FIVE MILLIONS FACED STARVATION — FUNDS CABLED BY "tHE CHRIS- 
TIAN herald" — SPEEDING THE RELIEF SHIP "qUITO" — PRESIDENT 
MC KINLEY's practical SYMPATHY — DR. KLOPSCH's VISIT TO THE 

STRICKEN LAND — HIS GRAPHIC STORY OF SCENES OF SUFFERING 

VIVID PEN PICTURES OF CITY AND COUNTRY ARRIVAL OP THE 

ix 



X CONTENTS 

Page 

"QUITO CARGO DISTRIBUTED MORE FUNDS MISSIONARIES' TES- 
TIMONIALS DR. KLOPSCH's RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES SUM- 
MARY OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES 68 

VI. SOLVING THE INDIA ORPHAN PROBLEM 

HOW A PERMANENT FUND WAS ESTABLISHED ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS 

DR. KLOPSCh's ELOQUENT TRIBUTE TO THE MISSIONARIES HIS 

story of his visit to pundita ramabal's school pledges of 

support first results of the work a characteristic letter 

— India's children her hope — industrial training — ambitious 
boys care for the girls evidences of appreciation dr. 

DEVIN's report KING EDWARD CONFERS THE KAISER-I-HIND MEDAL 

ON DR. KLOPSCH 89 

VII. SUCCOR FOR STRICKEN CUBA 

STRUGGLES TO FREE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLAND GOMEZ AND MACEO 

BURNING CANE FIELDS WEYLER's RECONCENTRATION ORDER 

AN eye-witness' ACCOUNT OF THE MISERY WAR's DESOLATION 

VISITS TO THE PRISON CAMPS SENTIMENT IN THE UNITED STATES 

— PRESIDENT Mckinley's Christmas appeal — dr. klopsch on the 

RELIEF COMMITTEE HIS TRIP TO HAVANA AN EXAMPLE OF HIS 

METHODS SILENT SUFFERERS GEN. FITZHUGH LEE THE PRESI- 
DENT'S APPRECIATION 105 

VIII. FINLAND AND SWEDEN 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FAR NORTH THE CROPS FAMINE FROM FLOOD 

AND FROST IN 1902-03 PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT CONTRIBUTES TO 

"the CHRISTIAN HERALD " RELIEF FUND DR. KLOPSCH's MIDWINTER 

MISSION POETRY OF THE PEOPLE TRAVELING ON SNOWSHOES AND 

SLEDGES INCIDENTS DESCRIBED BY DR. KLOPSCH WELCOME BY 

SONG AND FLOWERS FAMILY LIFE REVERENT CUSTOMS SUCCOR- 
ING THE DISTRESSED PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS FAREWELL RECEP- 
TION AID FOR SWEDEN AND NORWAY RECEIVED BY THE KING AND 

QUEEN AT STOCKHOLM AUDIENCE WITH THE DANISH ROYAL FAMILY 

AT COPENHAGEN NORWEGIAN APPRECIATION ADDRESS FROM FIN- 
LANDERS IN THE UNITED STATES 121 

IX. MODERN MACEDONIA 

MIXED RACES UNDER TURKISH RULE DESCRIPTION OF AN INTERESTING 

COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE CAUSES OF BRIGANDAGE KIDNAPPING 

OF ELLEN M. STONE, THE MISSIONARY DEMAND FOR RANSOM DR. 

KLOPSCH RAISES FUNDS MISS STONE's STORY OF THE CAPTURE AND 

RELEASE HOW FREEDOM WAS OBTAINED THE INSURRECTION IN 

1903 ATROCITIES AND SUFFERINGS APPEAL BY "tHE CHRISTIAN 

herald" READY RESPONSES DR. KLOPSCH COMMISSIONS A MACE- 
DONIAN PASTOR HIS REPORTS ON THE RELIEF WORK GRATITUDE 

TO AMERICA — SATISFACTORY RESULTS 148 

X. CHINA'S SORROW 

MILLIONS WHO SUFFER FROM RIVER FLOODS DISTRESS IN 1899 FRESH 

CALAMITY IN 1901 MINISTER WU's STATEMENT DR. KLOPSCH ON 

THE AMERICAN ATTITUDE TOWARD CHINA LI HUNG CHANG's MES- 
SAGE — MINISTER conger's CONTRIBUTION — DR. KLOPSCH's RELIEF 



CONTENTS xi 

Page 

ORGANIZATION PRESIDENT MC KINLEY AND SECRETARY HAY AID — 

AMERICAN MISSIONARY COMMITTEE — APPEAL FROM CHINESE CHURCHES 

— SPECIAL COMMISSIONER NICHOLS DISPATCHED GRAPHIC DESCRIP- 
TIONS OF THE REMOTE PROVINCES — IN THE HEART OF SHANSI — NATIVE 

CUSTOMS — HOW SHENSI WAS SUCCORED WHAT "tHE CHRISTIAN 

herald" ACCOMPLISHED 163 

XI. FURTHER FAMINES IN CHINA 

SUCCORING THE DISTRESS IN 1903 — FOOD FLOTILLA THE BLACK HUNGER 

CLOUD IN 1906 OVERFLOW OF THE GRAND CANAL — PRESIDENT ROOSE- 

VELT's CHRISTMAS APPEAL "tHE CHRISTIAN HERALD " CONTRIBUTIONS 

— ACCOUNTS FROM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ELLIS OF MILLIONS 

STARVING THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY ROOT CONTRIBUTE — DR. 

KLOPSCH PROVIDES CARGO FOR THE "bUFORd" — SECRETARY TAFT 
SPEAKS FOR THE RED CROSS — RELIEF SHIP's DEPARTURE FROM SAN 
FRANCISCO — SPECIAL COMMISSIONER JOHNSTONe's STORY OF THE 

DISTRIBUTION OFFICIAL CEREMONIES — MISSIONARIES' ACTIVITIES — 

FINANCIAL SUMMARY — PERMANENT EFFECTS — PROVISION FOR THE 
ORPHANS TRIBUTE FROM THE RED CROSS 182 

XII. SYMPATHY WITH THE NEW JAPAN 

CLOSE BOND WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE — FAILURE OF THE RICE CROP IN 
1906 — DISTRESS OF THE POPULATION — " THE CHRISTIAN HERALD" 

STARTS THE FUNDS COOPERATION IN RELIEF MOVEMENTS — SKETCH 

OF THE JAPANESE RED CROSS — MISSIONARY COMMITTEE — PRESIDENT 

ROOSEVELT THANKS DR. KLOPSCH HOPE DAWTs'S — STATE DEPARTMENT 

REPORTS — PERMANENT AID FOR THE ORPHANS — GRATEFUL LETTER 
FROM GOVERNORS OF THE SUCCORED PROVINCES — JAPANESE GOVERN- 
MENT'S RECOGNITION — BARON OZAWa's SPECIAL MISSION ORDER OF 

THE RISING SUN CONFERRED ON DR. KLOPSCH FURTHER ACKNOWL- 
EDGMENTS 202 

XIII. FAIR ITALY'S APPALLING CALAMITY 

HISTORIC VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS — THE TERRIFYING CHRISTMAS WEEK OP 

1908 BEAUTIFUL MESSINA's DESTRUCTION BY EARTHQUAKE — THE 

TIDAL WAVE — NEIGHBORING TOWNS WIPED OUT — "tHE CHRISTIAN 
herald" cables AID FOR THE SURVIVORS — REV. DR. CARTER COMMIS- 
SIONED TO VISIT THE SCENES OF SORROW — THRILLING STORY OF WHAT 
HE SAW — REGGIO AND THE SICILIAN COAST — "MOTHER AND CHILD 
charity" PROPOSED BY DR. KLOPSCH — HEROIC QUEEN HELENa's AID 

— ASSISTANCE GIVEN THE WALDENSIAN CHRISTIANS — VISIT TO ITALY 
BY ROYAL INVITATION — AMBASSADOR GRISCOM's COURTESY — AUDI- 
ENCE WITH KING VICTOR EMiLANUEL — DR. KLOPSCH's ACCOUNT 

APPRECIATIVE COMMENT 219 

XIV. OUR OWN AND NEARBY LANDS 

HOME RELIEF WORK NEW YORK IN THE WINTER OF 1893-94 — REV. 

STEPHEN MERRITT's TRAVELERS* CLUB — DR. KLOPSCH ESTABLISHES 

FOOD AND FUEL STATIONS END OF THE DISTRESS — SUFFERING 

CAUSED BY CROP FAILURES IN 1894 — SUCCOR FOR THE WESTERN 

STATES — INCIDENTS OF A PERSONAL VISIT AID IN THE GALVESTON 

TIDAL WAVE OF 1900 — HELP FOR THE KANSAS FLOOD SUFFERERS IN 
1903 — CONTRIBUTION TO THE SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE SUF- 



xii CONTENTS 

Pa^e 
FEBEBS IN 1906 — HUREICANE AND FLOOD IN POBTO RICO IN 1899 — 

"christian HEBALD" CONTRIBUTIONS DESTBUCTIVE WATERS AT 

MONTEBET, MEXICO, IN 1909 DB. KLOPSCH SENDS MONEY AND 

BLANKETS — APPRECIATION 242 



XVII. EDITOR AND PUBLISHER 

BROAD FIELD OF THE EVANGELICAL NEWSPAPER THE WEEKLY PULPIT 

AND OTHER FEATURES SYMPOSIUMS ON IMPORTANT TOPICS FAMOUS 

CONTRIBUTORS DWIGHT L. MOODy's GRATITUDE FOR IMPORTANT 

SERVICES EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES "tHE CHRISTIAN HERALd's" 

SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN TO RESTORE THE MOTTO "iN GOD WE TRUST " 

ON THE NATIONAL COINAGE ANTI-MORMON AGITATION SUPPORT OF 

TEMPERANCE DR. KLOPSCh's ORIGINAL METHODS BELIEF IN PUB- 
LICITY INTIMATE PERSONAL RELATION WITH SUBSCRIBERS USE- 
FULNESS AS A PUBLISHER OF GOOD LITERATURE CIRCULATING THE 

SCRIPTURES THE RED LETTER BIBLE 309 

XVIII. THE MAN AND HIS METHODS 

MARKS OF GREAT BUSINESS CAPACITY HOW HIS PHILANTHROPIC CAM- 
PAIGNS WERE ORGANIZED WAYS OF COLLECTING FUNDS MANNER 

OF DISTRIBUTION A SACRED STEWARDSHIP DR. KLOPSCH's INTI- 
MATE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH RELIEF CONTRIBUTORS IN- 
STANCES OF QUICK PERCEPTION MR. SANDISON's ACCOUNT OF GOING 

AHEAD ON FAITH APPLICATION OF ABILITY IN HIS OWN AFFAIRS 

THINKING IN FIGURES AN HOUR IN " THE CHRISTIAN HERALD " OFFICE 

ADVICE TO A CONVICT KINDLY RELATIONS WITH ASSOCIATES AND 

EMPLOYEES IMPRESSIONS OF A FOREIGN VISITOR PERSONALITY 

ANALYZED BY A HINDU JOURNALIST SUNDAY SCHOOL ACTIVITIES . . 326 



XV. THE BOWERY MISSION .] 

HUMAN DRIFTWOOD OF A GREAT CITY ROMANTIC WAY IN WHICH DR. i 

KLOPSCH BECAME INTEEESTED IN THE MISSION FINANCIAL RESPON- ' 

SIBILITY ASSUMED LIFE BOAT FOR MORAL SHIPWRECKS MRS. BIRd's ' 

NOBLE LABORS SUPERINTENDENT HALLIMOND TWENTIETH ANNI- 
VERSARY A woman's STORY OF THE THANKSGIVING DINNER THE ^ 

BREAD LINE PATHOS OF A FUNERAL CELEBRATED VISITORS [ 

PASTOR CHARLES WAGNER's VISIT HIS OWN STORY OF A TYPICAL ^ 

AUDIENCE INCIDENTS OF DR. KLOPSCh's WORK AMONG THE OUTCASTS ^ 

TOLD BY ONE WHO KNEW PRESIDENT TAFT's VISIT THE CROWNING I 

EVENT HIS UPLIFTING TALK AS MAN TO MAN "CHRISTIAN HER- \ 

ALD's" COMMENT 260 ] 

XVI. THE CRY OF THE CHILDREN \ 

HOW THE MONT-LAWN HOME CAME TO BE OPENED IN 1895 GROWTH OP -' 

DR. KLOPSCH's FAVORITE CHARITY STREET WAIFS IN THE GREAT CITY * 

FROM THE SLUMS TO AN EARTHLY PARADISE A DAY's DOINGS FOR j 

THE TENEMENT GUESTS DESCRIBED SATURDAY AFTERNOON ROMPS I 

WHAT A STRANGER FROM ENGLAND SAW SONGS OF PRAISE THE ,< 

TEMPLE SERVICES DR. KLOPSCH's UNIQUE MESSAGE TO YOUTHFUL ] 

HEARTS LESSONS IN PATRIOTISM DISTINGUISHED VISITORS ON THE ^ 

FOURTH OP JULY A CELEBRATION WITHOUT THE FOUNDER THE | 

CHINESE minister's TRIBUTE FUTURE OF MONT-LAWN .... 289 



CONTENTS xiii 

Page 
XIX. A FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP 

THE SECRET OF A SUCCESSFUL LIFE REVIEW OP THE MANY GOOD CAUSES 

AIDED BY DR. KLOPSCH — NUMEROUS FIELDS OF CHRISTIAN HELPFUL- 
NESS SUMMARIZED — WIDE FIELD OF PHILANTHROPIC AND CHARITABLE 

LABORS — HOME AND FOREIGN MISSIONS MISCELLANEOUS RELIEF 

MOVEMENTS HOW THE FUNDS WERE COLLECTED AND DISBURSED — 

accountants' CERTIFICATES — WONDERFUL FINANCIAL SHOWING . , 345 

XX. ILLNESS AND DEATH 

BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF A BUSY LIFE — HAPPY MARRIAGE 

IDEAL HOME CIRCLE THE FATAL MALADY THE WORLD SHOCKED BY 

THE NEWS OF DR. KLOPSCH's DEATH — PRESIDENT TAFT's SORROW 

CONDOLENCES FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS — SPONTANEOUS TRIBUTES 

— PASTOR Wilkinson's eulogy to new york business men — fu- 
neral SERVICES AT THE METROPOLITAN TEMPLE ALL CLASSES AMONG 

THE MOURNERS — REV. J. WESLEY HILL's INVOCATION — DR. HALLI- 
MONd's prayer — REV. J. M. BUCKLEY's EULOGY — LESSONS OF A 
NOBLE MANHOOD — BEAUTIFUL MASONIC SERVICE — BURIAL AT TARBY- 

TOWN 358 

XXL THE VOICE THAT YET SPEAKS 

TESTIMONY TO THE ENDURING INFLUENCE OF DR. KLOPSCH's GOOD WORKS 

A SOLDIER OF HUMANITY — MUTUAL CONFIDENCE IN "tHE CHRISTIAN 

herald" family PUBLIC MEMORIAL MEETING — RABBI MICHELSON's 

PRAISE — BISHOP Darlington's address — dr. marsden's analysis 

A WORD FROM IRVING BACHELLER — DR. HILl's TALK — JUDGE 

TOMPKIN's VIEW — DR. IGLEHAET's STORY — EDITORIAL COMMENT . 380 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

Louis Klopsch Frordisjnece . 

Facinq Pagb 

A Group of India Famine Orphans, Supported by The Christian Herald 5$^ 

Widows of the India Famine 60 J'^ 

Orphan Children of India, Supported by The Christian Herald ... 60^ 
The Ceremony of "Sampling the Cargo" of the Relief Ship Quito in 

Bombay 81 •' 

Government Famine Relief Works, Gujerat, India 96 "^''^ 

Famine Orphans at Nellore, India 96 v- 

Dr. and Mrs. Iflopsch at the Grave of the Maine Victims, Havana . . 113 ♦-^ 

Relief Work among the Cuban Reconcentrados 113 »^ 

Starving Cubans Begging Food of a United States Warship in Havana 

Harbor 117'"' 

Convalescent Soldiers at the Children's Home, Mont-Lawn . . . . 117 ' 
Two Thousand School Children of Uleaborg, Finland, Singing to 

Welcome The Christian Herald Relief Party 124 ^ ' 

Dr. Klopsch and the Finnish Relief Committee in Session in Helsingfors . 128 

Market-place at Helsingfors, Finland 133' 

Dr. Klopsch and the Finnish Relief Committee 133 

Finnish Children in a Peasant School 140 i 

Farm Laborers of Finland 140 

The Bulgarian Army Going into Winter Quarters 161 • 

Macedonian Pastors and Others Represented in the Relief Work . . 161 ' 

Mobbing a Food Distributor in China 176 iX 

A Typical Famine-stricken Family at Suchien, China 176 "^ 

The United States Troopship Buford, which Carried Relief to China. . 197 l^ 

Unloading the Buford's Cargo 197^ 

Emperor Mutsuhito and the Empress of Japan 204 "'^ 

The Decoration of the " Rising Sud " 204 

In a Japanese Peasant Home 209 «^ 

The Poor Quarters of a Japanese Peasant Family 209 ^ 

XV 



XVI ILLUSTRATIONS 

Facing Pagb 

Baron Ozawa Showing The Christian Herald to the Famine-stricken 

People of Fukushima 213 *♦ 

Little Japanese Orphans at Okayama, Supported by The Christian Herald 220 »^ 

Rescuing a Victim of the Italian Earthquake 224 

Housekeeping in the Streets and Parks 224 

\/ 
Havoc Wrought by the Flood in Monterey Streets 257 

/ 
The River Front in Monterey during the Great Flood 257 

Tenement Waifs at the Children's Home, Welcoming Dr. Klopsch . 272 

President Taft on the Platform of the Bowery Mission, New York . . 289 

Admiral Sigsbee Addressing a Fourth of July Audience at the Children's 

Home, Mont-Lawn 304 ^ 

Dr. Geo. H. Sandison, Editor of The Christian Herald 337^ 

President Taft, Mr. Carnegie, and Dr. Klopsch at the Organ Dedication, 

Metropolitan Temple, New York 352 ^ 

Accountant's Certificate 366 "^ 



LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 



LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

CHAPTER I 

EARLY ACTIVITIES 

AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY EMBRACED BY YOUNG KLOPSCH "gOOD MORNING " 

TO THE BUSINESS WORLD BUYS A PRINTING OFFICE — PIONEER IN PIC- 
TORIAL JOURNALISM — APTITUDE SHOWN SYNDICATING REV. T. DEWITT 

TALMAGe's SERMONS — TRIP TO EUROPE AND THE HOLY LAND — PURCHASE 
OF "the CHRISTIAN HERALD " — THE CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF A NOBLE 
AMBITION — FIRST FIVE YEARS REVIEWED. 

THE early struggles of successful men are 
familiar chapters. By some instinct they 
seek the field in which their abilities will 
find the sphere of action to which they are best 
adapted. America has been the land of opportunity 
for hosts of those who, born abroad, have left 
the country of their birth in early youth and in the 
New World have realized their ambitions. Others 
have been born and brought up in this favored 
country, while some have come to it at such an early 
age that they may almost be considered as native 
born. 

Louis Klopsch, though born in Germany, was 
essentially an American boy. His young life was 
spent in New York and vicinity. Opportunity lay 
all around him, but he did not wait for it to come 
to him. He sought it. He soon drifted into various 
advertising and publishing enterprises. Always it 
was the new idea which appealed to him. 

1 



2 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Just out of his teens in the early seventies he 
saluted the reading public with Good Morning, a four- 
page publication, the size of The Christian Herald, 
printed upon high-grade tinted paper, with excellent 
selections of reading matter suited to the family, 
issued weekly. He found a great sale for this paper 
amongst retail dealers in dry goods, boots and shoes, 
groceries, drugs, etc., who would purchase one or 
more thousand copies for distribution in the immedi- 
ate neighborhood of their stores. Each retail dealer 
was privileged to have his own advertisement appear 
in the copies he purchased. With about a hundred 
retail dealers as customers he could readily afford 
to permit each to have his wish gratified in distrib- 
uting the paper to his neighbors. 

Possessed of a very active brain, publishing be- 
came his forte. His great aim and ambition ran in 
the channel of the printing and publishing business. 

He had worked up a plan for a special publication 
which he believed would prove a success. Being 
fundless he sought out one who had befriended 
him on similar occasions, and with his aid he in the 
latter part of the Centennial year issued the first 
numbers of the Daily Hotel Reporter; and through 
it he began to get a solid footing, finally purchasing 
a printing oflSce. 

Some years after this he met the friend who had 
stood by him in the past, related his circumstances, 
and impressed this friend with the fact that he was 
not unmindful of the former kind acts nor of his 
financial indebtedness to him; that he hoped soon 
to liquidate it, and also remarked that if he could 



EARLY ACTIVITIES S 

send any printing to this man's printing office he 
would gladly do it and it could apply on the old 
account. 

Shortly after this conversation his old patron 
dropped into the office and informed Mr. Klopsch 
that one to whom he was personally indebted de- 
sired to have a law case printed, having lost a suit 
which was to be appealed, and it required several 
thousand dollars' worth of printing. Mr. Klopsch 
agreed to do the printing, but after taking account 
of stock — that is, type and finances — found himself 
up against a stone wall; yet, resourceful in thought 
and plan, he hit upon a solution. As the work would 
more than three times cover the amount of his in- 
debtedness, if the party requiring the printing would 
upon submission of proofs of each one hundred pages 
advance one-third in cash, he would be enabled to 
purchase the necessary type and print the law case, 
and out of the other two-thirds the total indebted- 
ness would be wiped out. And it was done, showing 
a new way to pay old debts. 

This incident proves the honesty of purpose with 
which he was imbued. And up to the time of his 
passing away he never lost an opportunity of prac- 
tically showing his appreciation of his old standby, 
who doubly benefited by this transaction, for he 
was enabled to wipe out an old score of debt to his 
friend for whom the printing was done. 

At the same time he engaged in various enter- 
prises which called forth the exertions of his powers 
of impressing people with his business capacity. In 
later years he was accustomed to speak of an inci- 



4 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

dent when he was hard pressed by the tightness of 
business. 

"I remember," he said, *'that when I was editing 
an album and doing an advertising business, things 
were dreadfully dark; there was absolutely nothing 
in sight, and I was somewhat discouraged; but such 
moods never lasted long with me, and I quickly made 
up my mind to make business. I took my last thirty 
dollars — it was all I had in ready cash — bought a 
new suit, necktie, and hat, got shaved, and had my 
boots blacked. Then I went out and made things 
hum, turning in more business than I had done in 
many a day. I learned from this and other similar 
experiences the importance of putting on a good 
front in business, and of what great value to a 
young man was his personal appearance and neat- 
ness in making an impression upon those he comes 
in contact with in business. I never forgot that 
experience." 

Pictorial journalism was one of the features of 
young Klopsch's early activities. With his intui- 
tive perception of what the great masses of people 
wanted, he saw that the picture appealed to them 
in connection with reading matter. At that period 
mechanical processes for illustrating newspapers were 
in a backward state of development. The illus- 
trations in the daily journals, which now form so 
marked a feature, were almost unknown. Occasion- 
ally some enterprising journal would reproduce the 
portrait of a distinguished person, usually in connec- 
tion with an obituary. Young Klopsch saw that 
readers wanted to see how people of note looked 



EARLY ACTIVITIES 5 

and that it was not necessary to wait until they 
were dead in order to reproduce their portraits. He 
accordingly established the Pictorial Associated Press, 
which began in a small way by supplying cuts of 
men and women who were in the public eye, and 
this business he enlarged until the development of 
mechanical processes enabled the leading journals to 
provide themselves with their own means of illus- 
tration. Many of the ideas which they followed 
were due to the initiative of Mr. Klopsch and the 
Pictorial Associated Press which he controlled. 

An incident which illustrated his views of business 
relations occurred during these early years when 
he was experimenting with various publications. 
A place on one of them became vacant. The 
work was of a fixed character, at a fixed salary. 
A young man, who afterward achieved reputation, 
was at that time walking the streets of New York in 
search of employment. He heard of an opening on 
the Klopsch publication, and in his anxiety to obtain 
work, went to the proprietor and offered to take 
the place at a smaller salary than had previously 
been paid. Mr. Klopsch refused the oflFer. ''That 
work," he said, "is worth so much a week, and we 
have been paying so much as salary. If you can 
perform it satisfactorily, you are entitled to have 
the full salary. If you can't do it to suit us, your 
services w^on't be cheap at the rate you offer, because 
we won't want you at all. Suppose you start in, and 
we w^ill give you the full salary. But if we find you 
incompetent, we won't keep you." 

The offer was gratefully accepted. The young man 



6 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

performed the duties of the position satisfactorily 
until his talents gave him an opening in another 
direction. It was characteristic of young Klopsch's 
business principles, which he carried through his 
later life, that he was always ready to pay full value 
for services rendered. 

In his business activities as a young man, Mr. 
Klopsch did not neglect the evangelical work to 
which he gave the best of his mature manhood. 
He was attracted to the Brooklyn Tabernacle, of 
which the Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage was the pastor. 
They were thrown together, and a warm friendship 
sprang up. Dr. Talmage's methods were considered 
sensational, but the message he delivered from the 
pulpit he had to deliver in his own way. That it 
was an acceptable message was shown by the multi- 
tudes who thronged the Tabernacle to hear him. 

The daily newspapers of New York Monday 
mornings usually contained a report of his sermon, 
and these reports were sometimes republished by 
other newspapers, but they had no general circula- 
tion. Mr. Klopsch saw that a vast audience beyond 
the confines of the Brooklyn Tabernacle were eager 
to read, if they could not hear. Dr. Talmage's ser- 
mons regularly. He conceived the plan of syndicat- 
ing them to several hundred papers. At that time 
this means of supplying large numbers of readers 
with the same material had not come into general 
use. Mr. Klopsch first broached the suggestion to 
Dr. Talmage and obtained his consent. Then he 
took it up with newspapers large and small all over 
the world. Some were doubtful, and others indiffer- 
ent, but the majority were glad to have the oppor- 



EARLY ACTIVITIES 7 

tunity of offering their readers the weekly sermon 
as deUvered in the Brooklyn Tabernacle, furnished 
in advance so that it could be published the day 
following its delivery. 

The syndicating of the Talmage sermons was grad- 
ually developed until it became one of Mr. Klopsch's 
most important business enterprises. It began in 
1885. 

At this period, Mr. Klopsch was beginning to make 
an impression on the publishing world. His energy, 
ability, and determination to succeed overcame every 
obstacle and commanded the good-will, respect, and 
support of all with whom he came in contact. His 
industry and his fidelity to business engagements 
helped him to win his way to higher success. He 
had started out without a dollar of capital, and the 
limitation of funds at his command restricted some- 
what his enterprises, but gradually he was able to 
give his energies broader scope. 

Mr. Klopsch, as a development of the syndication 
of the Talmage sermons, proposed to the famous 
divine a trip to Europe and to the Holy Land. Dr. 
Talmage consented, and Mr. Klopsch accompanied 
him. The trip was made in 1889. Dr. Talmage 
preached in many places abroad, and these sermons 
when published in the United States met with great 
favor. 

Mr. Klopsch often spoke of this visit to the Holy 
Land as one of the most enjoyable experiences of 
his life. It was the fulfillment of a desire that he 
had cherished from boyhood. In letters to his 
friends he gave his impressions in his own vivid 
manner. 



8 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

During this trip abroad, Mr. Klopsch matured 
plans that had long been working in his mind. He 
spent some time in England in conference with the 
Rev. Michael Baxter, the owner of The Christian 
Herald, This popular British weekly had a large 
circulation in the United Kingdom. An edition was 
also published in New York for American readers. 
The American edition had much in it of value, but 
Mr. Klopsch thought that if it could be dedicated 
more especially to readers of the United States, its 
usefulness would become greater. Besides, he had 
certain ideas of his own which he wanted to carry 
out. After some negotiations with Dr. Baxter, the 
arrangement was made by which he took the man- 
agement of The Christian Herald in New York, and 
subsequently bought it outright, so that it became 
his sole property, and his cherished ambition was 
realized. At that time it had a circulation of about 
30,000, which was considered good for a religious 
journal. Mr. Klopsch told some of his associates 
that the circulation could be brought up to a quar- 
ter of a million. This seemed a wild notion in view 
of the limitations with which religious journals were 
supposed to be surrounded. But before his death, 
twenty years later, Mr. Klopsch's judgment was 
amply vindicated. 

On his return to New York, when he found him- 
self in full control of The Christian Herald, Mr. 
Klopsch arranged to relinquish his other newspaper 
publications, and thereafter his energies were de- 
voted solely to the paper and to the publishing 
business which he developed from it. 



EARLY ACTIVITIES 9 

Dr. Talmage became coadjutor editor, and Mr. 
Klopsch began to develop his plans. He had two 
leading purposes in view. He deterimned to make 
The Christian Herald the most successful religious 
paper in the world, and to make it a medium of 
American bounty to the needy throughout the 
world. He had found his life-work in his chosen 
sphere. His views of the field of the religious news- 
paper were to give it a broad evangelical character and 
to make it co-ordinate with the secular newspaper. 

An editorial which appeared a year or so after 
Mr. Klopsch became the owner reflected his views 
of the secular newspaper, as well as of the evangelical 
journal. 

" I congratulate newspaper men," said the editorial, 
"on the splendor of an opportunity, but I charge 
them before God that they be careful to use their 
influence in the right direction. How grand will be 
the result in the last day for the man who has con- 
secrated the printing press to high and holy objects ! 
God will say to such a one, * You broke off a million 
chains, you opened a million blind eyes, you gave 
resurrection to a million of the dead.' 

"It is a vast responsibility that rests upon people 
who set type, or sit in editorial chairs. The audience 
is so large, the influence is so great, the results are 
so eternal, that I believe in the day of judgment, 
amid all the millions of men who will come up to 
render their accounts, the largest accounts will be 
rendered by newspaper men." 

How far his ambition was to be fulfilled gradually 
began to be apparent. In a December issue in 1894, 



10 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

there was "A word about ourselves." Among other 
things the article said: 

"So swiftly does time pass that it seems scarcely 
possible that five years have nearly elapsed since 
Dr. Talmage assumed editorial charge of The Chris- 
tian Herald, It has been the privilege of The 
Christian Herald and its management during these 
five years of material prosperity to take a more active 
share in the great work of disseminating pure litera- 
ture than has probably ever before fallen to the lot 
of any religious newspaper. The total expense in- 
volved in five great years of literary undertaking has 
been $399,000. 

"Charity has formed another and hardly less 
prominent part of The Christian Herald's mission 
in these five years. As we regard events in retro- 
spect, it seems to have been divinely led into a field 
of philanthropy so wide and so far-reaching as to 
impress the sympathy and co-operation of its readers 
in every clime. In this special field of charity, 
$120,000 has been expended in the aggregate. 

" In the line of distinctly religious work, The Chris- 
tian Herald's efforts have been signally blessed. Its 
expenditures in the various fields of Christian effort 
altogether aggregate a total of $530,000, or upward 
of $105,000 a year." 

It was during these five years that Dr. Klopsch 
was steadily working out the plan described of 
making his paper the great religious journal that 
it has become, and at the same time the instrument 
of the bounty of the American people. The Christian 
Herald family grew and spread until it covered all 
parts of the world where the English language is 
read. The educational and missionary work grew 
in the same proportion. 



CHAPTER II 

RUSSIAN RELIEF 

PEASANT LTPE IN THE CZAR's VAST DOMAINS — DEPENDENCE ON THE CROPS — 

GREAT FAMINE OF 1892 STORIES OF THE SUFFERING COUNT TOLSTOl's 

DESCRIPTION AMERICA HEARS THE HUNGER CRY — "CHRISTIAN HERALD " 

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE "cONEMAUGh" CARGO — DR. KLOPSCH DISPATCHES 

THE "lEO" with flour DR. TALMAGE AND HE AS ADVANCE AGENTS — 

THEIR RECEPTION IN ST. PETERSBURG — WARM WELCOME TO THE RELIEF 

SHIP GRATITUDE OF THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE — AUDIENCE WITH THE CZARE- 

WITCH AT PETERHOF PALACE. 

TIE first of the remarkable chain of world- 
wide charities which Dr. Klopsch under- 
took was for the relief of starving millions 
of Russian peasants. 

The vast extent of the Czar's dominions, from the 
frozen sea of the Arctic to the frozen sea of the 
Pacific, is little understood. The area is estimated 
at nearly nine million square miles and the popula- 
tion at one hundred and sixty million inhabitants. 

In so extensive a region there is naturally much 
variety of resources, yet the chief reHance of the 
people is on the soil. The mass of peasantry is 
absolutely dependent on the crops and the conditions 
are such that they have little chance of saving from 
one season to another. They are as much of the 
soil as when they were serfs. 

In the best of conditions the lot of the peasants 
is not a comfortable one, yet they are peaceful, hard- 
working, and make the best of their surroundings. 

11 



12 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

A description of Russian peasants at home by an 
American writer, Mrs. Isabel F. Hapgood, gives a 
graphic idea of their manner of existence. 

Mrs. Hapgood wrote: '*We visited the peasants 
in their cottages. The rope and moss-plugged log 
house stood flat on the ground, and was thatched 
with straw which was secured by a ladder-like 
arrangement of poles along the gable ends. Three 
tiny windows, with tinier panes, relieved the street 
front of the house. The entrance was on the side, 
from the small farmyard littered with farm imple- 
ments, chickens, and manure, and enclosed with the 
usual fence of wattled branches. From the small 
ante-room, designed to keep out the winter's cold, 
the storeroom opened at the rear and the living- 
room at the front. 

"The lefthand corner of the living-room as one 
entered was occupied by the oven made of stones 
and clay and whitewashed. In it the cooking was 
done by placing the pots among the glowing wood 
coals. The bread was baked when the coals had 
been raked out. Later still, when desired, the 
owners took their steam bath, more resembling a 
roasting, inside it, and the old people kept their 
aged bones warm by sleeping on top of it close to the 
low ceiling. Around three sides of the room ran a 
broad bench which served for furniture and beds. 
In the righthand corner, opposite the door, the great 
corner of honor, was the case of images, in front of 
which stood the rough table whereon meals were 
eaten. This was convenient, since the images were 
saluted at the beginning and end of meals with the 



RUSSIAN RELIEF 13 

sign of the cross and a murmured prayer. The case 
also contained the sacred pictures of the home." 

Like every crop country Russia experiences peri- 
ods of plenty, when it ships enormous quantities of 
grain to other countries. Then sometimes come the 
periods of short crops, when the richest districts do 
not supply enough for themselves. Such a time came 
in the winter of 1891-1892. 

The richest agricultural region in the great Empire 
is the basin of the Volga. This is equal in extent 
and in productivity to our own Mississippi Valley. 
Repeated droughts and the pest of insects caused 
a complete crop failure in the Volga Basin and 
in other districts extending over sixteen provinces. 
Fully twenty million cultivators of the soil were 
affected. It was known that the crops in Russia 
were short, yet for months the outside world had 
little conception of the suffering or of the need of 
relief. The districts were so remote, and so little 
was known of the great interior of the Czar's domin- 
ions, that at first it was regarded only as an ordinary 
crop failure. Gradually something became known 
of the extent of the suffering. 

Reports were received of famine refugees filling the 
big cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Something 
was also learned of the vigorous measures of the 
Russian government and accounts were received of 
the relief trains which were daily dispatched. Then 
word began to come from those who had gone among 
the peasantry and who were writing of what they 
saw. Here is a striking picture given by a correspon- 
dent of his visit with a member of a local branch of 



14 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

the Red Cross Society in the province of Rexan to a 
distressed family : 

Attended by the elders of the place we went into the first 
miserable hut of the wretched Uttle row that constituted the 
street. My friend entered unceremoniously and roughly with- 
out knocking or calling. A kind of vapor poured out of the 
open door, and on entering I descried through the thick atmos- 
phere several human beings whose appearance and attitude 
filled me with horror. In the background stood a wrinkled 
hag, a handkerchief around her head. The rest of her costume, 
consisting of a short petticoat and leggings, was squalid and 
wretched to the last degree. To the right was an immense 
stove and over this a broad shelf, on which several frightened 
children were huddled together. They looked dirty and 
savage beyond description. There was no floor. We were 
standing upon the bare ground. The hut was about twenty 
feet square by ten feet high. A table and two benches were 
the only furniture the hut could boast of, and they were black 
with age and dirt. 

Running from the door to the stove was a beam or rafter 
and on this were a few wretched dishes and cooking utensils. 
A fearful stench pervaded the hut. Cap in hand, with trembhng 
knees, haggard cheeks and hollow eyes, stood the owner, who 
bade us welcome with a cringing humility and a look of mingled 
cunning and fear. Besides the old peasant and his wife there 
were two young men and their wives. I realized that three 
generations camped on that shelf over the stove. My guide 
looked around restlessly and insolently, his cap on his head, 
while the peasants stood uncovered. 

"What bread have you.^" he said. "Show us your bread." 

"We have no bread. We have had nothing to eat for three 
days," they all sang in a sort of chorus. 

"Nonsense; you have some bread." 

"Not a morsel." 

They looked as though they had not eaten anything for 
weeks, not days. We left their wretched hovel and entered 



RUSSIAN RELIEF 15 | 

their storeroom opposite the entrance and occupying the other 
side of the hut. Here were a few empty boxes, nothing else. 
We went to the next barn and cattle sheds. The barn was 
empty and bare. The roof had been taken down for fuel. 
Some of the neighbors had nothing but the skeletons of their 
barns left, and several had begun to consume the roofs of their 
huts. The cattle sheds were also empty. The livestock of 
the village had been reduced to a single famished-looking sheep 
and a horse that was only a bag of bones. 

The same picture was presented a million times 
over throughout the Volga Basin and the other 
famine-stricken provinces. Yet the cry for bread 
was not loud. The peasants could only wait. They 
did not know how to make their distress known. 

Finally the people of the United States began to 1 
realize the condition of the Russian peasantry. 
When they realized it relief movements were started. 
The cry for bread was met by providing cargoes of 
grain and flour. One of the earliest of these cargoes 
was that of the steamer Indiana, which carried 
succor to the Black Sea port of Libau. Its officers 
brought back reports of the need for further and 
continued succor and of the gratitude of the Russian 
people. The state of Minnesota sent a cargo of 
flour on the steamer Missouri. The same reports 
came back of the need of further relief and of the 
gratitude with which the aid was received. The 
citizens of Philadelphia chartered the steamer Cone- 
maugh, and undertook to send a cargo of flour to j 
Riga. 

Dr. Klopsch had heard the cry for bread. With- 
out delay he answered it. He asked on behalf of 
the readers of The Christian Herald permission to 



16 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

send a few hundred sacks of flour, which was granted. 
Thereupon he made public appeal through the paper. 
His practical mind grasped the situation. He figured 
that at the prices then prevailing a barrel of sound, 
wholesome flour, weighing 190 pounds, could be 
bought for $3.50; that $10.00 w^ould purchase nearly 
three barrels, the equivalent of 570 five-cent loaves 
of bread. Dr. Klopsch and his associates made the 
first contributions. Then the gifts began to flow in 
with steadily increasing volume, and some 5000 sacks 
of flour were loaded on the Conemaugh. 

When the steamers were ready to sail ceremo- 
nies were held at the pier and the Rev. T. DeWitt 
Talmage invoked divine blessing upon The Christian 
Herald's gift of flour to Russia. Dr. Klopsch pre- 
sided. Dr. Talmage in the course of his address 
said: 

"There is no sadder sound on earth than a nation's 
cry for bread. Such a cry came up when Hamilcar 
besieged Utica and Titus besieged Jerusalem and 
the Assyrians besieged Samaria and the Spaniards 
besieged Leyden, and from other besieged cities where 
men gnawed the left arm in hunger while with the 
right arm they fought. But now, in time of peace, 
from that Russia which has been one of the richest 
wheat fields of all the earth comes the groan of 
nearly twenty million people dying for lack of food. 
Famine is a monster which has at some time put its 
paw upon almost every nation, with hot tongue lap- 
ping up the feverish blood of the starving. Through 
a merciful Providence the most of us have been kept 
from hearing in our households the unavailing cry 



RUSSIAN RELIEF 17 

for food. No parent's heart is stout enough calmly 
to hear a cry like that. 

"In a land of ripe orchards and golden harvests 
it is an awful thing to starve. What a blessing that 
this Russian appeal comes at a time when our barns 
are full of wheat and our cribs are full of corn! We 
assemble here today to start the first installment of 
a million pounds of flour contributed from all parts of 
the land, through the hand of The Christian Herald 
which has been pleading this cause. Look off upon 
yonder sacks of flour! What do they mean.^^ They 
mean life for a great multitude. They mean chil- 
dren given back to their parents and parents given 
back to their children. They mean sunshine for 
eyes that are closing in darkness. They mean new 
pulsation to hearts that are ceasing to beat. They 
mean prospered American homes giving salutation 
to agonized Russian homes. They mean the prayer 
of lips that are too weak to do more than whisper, 
answered from the throne of God, by the wave of 
American sympathy. They mean resurrection. 

" Thou who didst walk the Sea of Galilee when 
Thy disciples sailed, walk beside the Conemaugh as 
it shall plow the deep carrying this mercy from a 
prospered nation to an afflicted land. O Thou who 
holdest the wind in Thy flst, let no hurricane whelm 
this treasure. May the angels of Thy protection 
hover over the bread wagons. May the relief which 
is sent today be multiplied until upon all America 
and all Europe may come the blessing of Him who 
said, *I was an hungered and ye fed me.'" 

The Conemaugh with the first Christian Herald 



18 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

fund shipment on board duly reached Riga and was 
welcomed by the Russian people as the harbinger 
of further relief. The cargo was found in perfect 
condition. A number of Russian officials and promi- 
nent citizens of Riga visited the steamer at her 
wharf and expressed the warmest gratitude of the 
Russian people for the gift from America to their 
suffering fellow-countrymen. 

In the meantime further details of the famine 
conditions were received in the United States. Mr. 
W. C. Edgar, a public-spirited citizen of Minnesota 
who had gone out with the cargo of flour sent by the 
citizens of that state, gave an interesting account 
of his own observations and of the need of further 
aid. He brought back with him some loaves of 
Russian "hunger bread" on which the peasants in 
many of the afflicted provinces were subsisting. It 
had the appearance of a mixture of earth, straw, 
stable refuse, dry bran, and a very small modicum 
of bran sweepings. When baked it presented a sur- 
face so hard as almost to turn the point of a knife. 
It was stringy and porous, with the color of dried 
and blackened turf, and had the pungent odor of 
dog feed or tobacco. Upon this compound hun- 
dreds of thousands were subsisting. It was the 
bread of want and bitterness and despair, yet it was 
being fed daily to sick women and to tender children 
as their only nourishment. 

About the same time an account was received of 
the relief work which Count Leo Tolstoi, the famous 
author and philanthropist, had organized. Count 
Tolstoi himself described the manner of giving 



RUSSIAN RELIEF 19 

relief and the conditions which wer<e met. He 
wrote : 

"The village of Petrovka may be said to be the 
center of the famine region. It is situated some 50 
miles from the nearest railway station. Towards 
dusk, after 12 hours sleighing, I arrived here and 
proceeded to the house of Count Lyeff Tolstoi, my 
son. On the following morning I proceeded with my 
son on a tour of inspection through the neighboring 
villages. We visited three, where I saw more misery 
than I have seen in any other district. We visited 
also one of the enormous free tables established by 
my son on the plan of those instituted by myself. 

"The place was crowded with about fifty ema- 
ciated, sickly creatures — more like living skeletons 
than sturdy peasants, as the majority of them were 
before the famine came. On leaving this place a 
poor woman came up to our sledge and beseeched 
us with tears in her eyes to come to her cottage, as 
her husband and father were dying. We went to 
the cottage and found in the dimly lighted room two 
men who were manifestly in extremis. The husband, 
who a few months ago had been a fine, powerful 
moujik with long beard and curly hair, was in a high 
fever; and in a dark corner at his feet lay another 
ghastly figure stretched out and doubled up with 
pain and suffering. This was the father, a grey- 
bearded old man, also dying. 

"On leaving this house of death we were stopped 
by a peasant, who appealed to my companion for 
help and who informed us that both his father and 
mother had just died of starvation. 



20 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

"The next house we visited was a cottage inhabited 
by a dying woman with her son and three children. 
The owner of this wretched place was lying on a 
plank bed covered with a ragged quilt, while her two 
children were feebly playing around her. She had 
given all her extra food to them. And these cases 
were no exceptions, but were typical of many others. 
In almost every second house we visited half if not 
all of the inmates were laid up with typhus, influ- 
enza, or intestinal complaints caused by insufficient 
nourishment and exposure to the cold. Their deplor- 
able condition, too, is intensified by the complete 
absence of either doctors or medicaments for the 
sick. In this district, indeed, with its population of 
eighty thousand, there is only one doctor, and 
probably half of those who die might be saved with 
proper medical attention." 

The appeal of stories of suffering such as this to 
Dr. Klopsch's charitable impulses was irresistible. 
After the Conemaugh had speeded on her mission 
of mercy, contributions continued to come in. The 
vast majority of these were of small sums, many 
being for a dollar, some for a half dollar, some for 
a quarter, and some even for a nickel. A penny 
contribution would not be rejected. Dr. Klopsch 
knew that these contributions came from the heart. 
He knew that it was the aggregate of the small sums 
that must be depended on in every great demand. 
There were also many liberal contributions, and 
these were acknowledged with gratitude; and others 
who out of their means were able to give liberally 
were encouraged to do it. But, large or small, 



RUSSIAN RELIEP gl 

it was evident that the relief movemeht had taken 
deep hold on the constituency which now looked 
to The Christian Herald for guidance and direc- 
tion. 

Dr. Klopsch did not have a moment's hesitation. 
When the twenty -thousand-dollar mark was reached 
he decided to send a steamer-load of food on his own 
account. He chartered the steamer Leo for $10,000, 
reduced the charter price by selling the deck privileges 
to a lumber company for $2,500, and began to load 
and buy flour. He bought through the New York 
Chamber of Commerce and the Chicago Board of 
Trade, and in a remarkably short time he had 17,000 
sacks of good American flour beneath the Leo's 
hatches, besides a goodly supply of medicines and 
delicacies for the sick. Some of the flour mills of the 
Northwest contributed directly. 

It was in June, 1892, when the Leo lay at the dock 
with her complete cargo, amounting to about two 
and three-fourths million pounds of flour, and the 
delicacies and medicines. When the contribution 
of 280,000 pounds was shipped aboard the Cone- 
maugh and it was apparent that there would be 
further contributions. Dr. Klopsch had said he would 
raise a million pounds. Then he increased the 
figures to two million pounds. But in all, as it 
developed, there were nearly three million pounds 
shipped for the starving Russian people. 

When the Leo's cargo was ready. Dr. Klopsch 
decided that he would himself proceed to Russia 
to see to the distribution and to determine whether 
further help would be necessary from the American 



22 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

people. Accompanied by Mrs. Klopsch and the 
Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage, he set sail. 

The Leo's cargo was consigned to the American 
Consul-General at St. Petersburg. Dr. Klopsch 
and Dr. Talmage reached there before the arrival 
of the steamer, and arranged the details for the 
distribution of the food. When the Leo arrived 
everything was in readiness. The Mayor and mili- 
tary authorities of the Russian capital prepared a 
splendid reception for their American guests. Every- 
where were flags floating, and bunting. The Stars 
and Stripes were raised at the United States Legation 
and Consulate, and the Russian and American flags 
fluttered on the public buildings. Even the street 
cars were decorated in this manner. 

The Leo was officially welcomed on Thursday 
morning, July 14th, with every possible manifesta- 
tion of popular enthusiasm. The evening before news 
had been received from Kjonstadt that the relief 
ship had passed that point on its way to St. Peters- 
burg, and official invitations signed by the Mayor 
were hastily dispatched in different directions re- 
questing the presence of the recipients the following 
morning on board the harbor police boat St, Peters- 
burg, for the purpose of welcoming the American 
relief ship. A tremendous crowd had gathered at 
the quay ready to greet the American guests. As 
the carriage drove up with Dr. Klopsch and Mrs. 
Klopsch and Dr. Talmage, the cheers went up from 
thousands of powerful Russian throats, and these 
were continued as the St. Petersburg steamed out 
on her way to meet the Leo, On board, besides 



RUSSIAN RELIEF 23 

the guests of the occasion, were various officials, 
including the American Consul-General and the 
Charge d' Affaires. An hour's sail brought in sight 
the majestic Leo clad in festal array with flying colors 
from topmast to deck. 

In the afternoon the party returned to the quay. 1 
Just as the steamer was about to drop anchor, along- 
side the dock and parallel to the river, one hundred 
freight cars, elaborately festooned and each decorated 
with a Russian and an American flag, stood ready 
to receive the flour. The anchor once cast, all was 
bustle and excitement. From thousands of throats 
rang out the loud huzzas. Hats, handkerchiefs, and 
flags were waving in the air with rapid motion, and 
shrill steamboat whistles vainly contended with the 
great volume of human voices for supremacy. ^ 

When the gangplank was adjusted Captain Caines 
of the Leo came ashore. He was immediately sur- 
rounded by the town council and others, all in 
full dress and wearing their badges of office. The 
marshal of nobility, Count Vsevolovshky, took an 
elevated stand on the plank and addressing the Cap- 
tain in English congratulated him on having safely 
made the journey with a ship laden with the tokens 
of sympathy and love from a distant nation. Then 
Mayor Prokofiero mounted the platform bearing in 
his hands a handsomely finished oaken box. He 
said: ** Gentlemen, the city of St. Petersburg greets 
you and congratulates you on your safe arrival with 
the cargo presented by the generous readers of The 
Christian Herald to the inhabitants of the Russian 
districts now suffering from the failure of last year's 



24 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

harvest. Gratitude for the contributions of the 
Americans will set an indelible stamp on the hearts 
of all Russians, and will unite together two great 
nations in the bonds of mutual esteem and friend- 
ship. The city of St. Petersburg, the capital of all 
Russia, begs of you to accept these trifles in memory 
of this day." 

When these remarks were finished the Mayor 
opened the case and, displaying a beautiful speaking 
trumpet, handed it to Captain Caines and at the 
same time handed to the first mate a magnificent, 
silver, gold-lined, old-fashioned drinking cup. The 
Captain and the mate were sailors and not used to 
making speeches in public. They w^ere too confused 
to reply, but Dr. Talmage came to their rescue and 
made a brief speech for them. 

After these ceremonies most of the crowd dis- 
persed, but Dr. Klopsch and Count Andre Bo- 
brinskoy, the representative of the Russian Relief 
Committee, remained and saw a portion of the 
cargo dispatched for the interior the very evening 
of the day of arrival. It proved much more con- 
venient to dispatch the cargo from St. Petersburg 
than it would have been from Riga, since the locali- 
ties most in need were thus most easily reached. 

The American visitors, including Mrs. Klopsch, 
were honored with an ofiicial reception by the town 
council, which was held in the halls of the Duma. 
Many distinguished Russians were present. An ad- 
dress of thanks was read by Mayor Prokofiero, who 
presided. Among other things this address said: 

'*The Russian nation knows how to be grateful. 



RUSSIAN RELIEF 25 

If hitherto during the whole period of the existence 
of the United States two such great nations as the 
Russian and the American have not only never been 
at enmity, but on the contrary have always sincerely 
wished each other power and all prosperity, then 
these feelings of mutual sympathy can only increase 
with the consciousness that these two great nations 
will find in each other cordial, disinterested, and 
sincere support and assistance in the hour of calam- 
ity. And when is true friendship to be known if 
not in the hour of misfortune? ^ 

*' Allow us, therefore, Reverend Sirs, as the repre- 
sentatives of the city of St. Petersburg, to express 
through you our deep gratitude to the transatlantic 
friends of the Russian people as well as our good 
wishes for the continuance of the prosperity, power, 
freedom, and indissolubility of the United States of 
North America, and for the strengthening of the bond 
of sympathy between Russia and America." 

Dr. Talmage responded to the address, and Dr. 
Klopsch also made a short speech. Then the party 
proceeded to Moscow to further superintend the 
distribution of the food. At Moscow the Mayor 
and the Prefect were equally cordial in their atten- 
tions to the Americans and in aiding the work. The 
gratitude of the Russian people, officials and plain 
citizens alike, was universal and irrepressible, ap- 
pearing in many forms. Invitations were showered 
upon them everywhere and the generous hospitality 
was overpowering. When they were leaving Mos- 
cow the Mayor, in explanation of the extraordinary 
attention they had received, declared that were they 



26 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

to visit the remotest village in Russia they would 
meet with the same cordial reception; that it was 
the manner his countrymen had of expressing their 
gratitude for the sympathy and generosity of Ameri- 
cans to the Russian peasants. 

Everywhere it was the same. Wherever the trav- 
elers stopped they encountered the glad welcome, if 
not always in words then in other forms, that gave 
expression to what the hearts felt but the strange 
tongues could not utter. The story of the Leo^ her 
mission, and the Christian love and charity of those 
who sent her were on every Russian's lips and 
became household words by Russian hearths. The 
famine too, fortunately, was ending and in a few 
months the harvests were normal and the Russian 
peasantry were able to provide for themselves out of 
the products of the soil which they tilled. 

An incident of Dr. Klopsch's visit to Russia in con- 
nection with the relief work which gave him much 
pleasure was the imperial invitation summoning 
him and Dr. Talmage to the Imperial Palace at 
Peterhof for an audience. Peterhof is on the Gulf 
of Finland a few miles from the capital. On arriv- 
ing at the wharf they entered the court carriage that 
stood in waiting for them and, accompanied by an 
escort, proceeded to the palace. This is a two-story 
yellow building and is situated on high ground over- 
looking beautiful gardens and groves. Fountains 
throw their sparkling columns of spray far in the air, 
and the variety of flowering plants is equal to that 
of any garden in Europe. The grounds are laid out 
after the fashion of the famous gardens at Versailles, 



RUSSIAN RELIEF 27 

with miniature lakes, statuary, and water scenes. 
Peterhof is very attractive from its romantic sur- 
roundings and the art treasures it contains. In one 
room there are 860 historic portraits of beautiful 
women painted during the reign of the Empress 
Catherine II. It also contains a room used by Peter 
the Great as a study. 

Cossack guards in dark uniforms, and high Russian 
officials, were encountered on the way. Count Bo- 
brinskoy introduced them to the Czarevitch, that is, 
the Crown Prince, who was the only representative 
of royalty in Russia at that time. They received a 
most cordial greeting and expressions of the gratitude 
and affection which Russia felt towards the United 
States. The Prince asked them to bear to the 
American people Russia's thanks for the aid it had 
received in time of need. He assured them that 
these noble actions were ever to be remembered. 
Subsequently, when he became Emperor of all Rus- 
sia as Czar Nicholas, he recalled the services of 
Dr. Klopsch, and in cooperating in other relief move- 
ments expressed the satisfaction he felt at knowing 
their dispenser of world charities and his methods. 
Dr. Klopsch on his part always recalled the pleas- 
ant impression made on him by the Czarevitch. 



CHAPTER III 

ARMENIA, THE MARTYR NATION 

DESCRIPTION OF THIS PART OF WESTERN ASIA AMBASSADOR BRYCE's ACCOUNT 

OF MT. ARARAT HISTORIC CHURCH A PERSECUTED PEOPLE MASSACRES 

OP 1894-95 — DR. Hamlin's appeal — atrocities at trebizond — miss 
Kimball's story of van — "christian herald" relief stations — miss 

SHATTUCK at OORFA HEROIC ZEITOUNLIS MISSIONARY ACKNOWLEDG- 
MENTS THRILLING INCIDENTS CARE FOR THE ORPHANS MURDER AND 

PILLAGE AT ADANA IN 1909 DR. KLOPSCH EXTENDS AID TO THE SURVIVORS. 

ARMENIA has been well called the martyr 
nation. Though it is not now a nation in 
the geographical or political sense, its peo- 
ple have preserved their individuality, their racial 
unity, and everything that goes to make a nation- 
ality, for more than 2,000 years. They have also 
preserved many of the traits of their ancestors. 

The region in Western Asia generally known as 
Armenia lies between the Black and the Caspian 
Seas and is of a mountainous character, comprising 
an area of 120,000 square miles. Ancient Armenia, 
as it was territorially understood, extended from the 
Tigris and the Euphrates to the southern shores of 
the Black Sea. In the course of centuries it has 
fallen to Turkey, Persia, and Russia. Most of what 
is known as Modern Armenia is a part of Turkey- 
in-Asia. 

The region known as Armenia was the first part of 
the globe to be settled by the human race after the 



ARMENIA, THE MARTYR NATION 29 

flood and Mt. Ararat, where the Ark rested, still rears 
its lofty crest 17,000 feet in height and overlooks 
the same landscape of valley, plain, and mountain 
that greeted the eyes of Noah and his companions 
when they gazed upon the new risen earth after the 
subsidence of the Deluge. The eminent British 
statesman and scholar, James Bryce, Ambassador 
at Washington, who ascended Mt. Ararat, in one of 
his books gives this account: 

"The only topographical reference in the Scrip- 
ture narrative of the flood is to be found in the 
words, Genesis, 8:4, *In the 7th month, on the 17th 
day of the month, the ark rested upon the moun- 
tains of Ararat,' which may be taken as equivalent 
to 'on a mountain of (or in) Ararat.' 

"The word Ararat is used in three or rather in 
two other places in the Scriptures. One is in 
II Kings, 19:37, and the parallel passage in Isaiah 
37:38, where it is said of the sons of Sennacherib, 
who had just murdered their father, that they 
escaped into the land of Ararat, rendered in our 
version and in the Septuagint, * Armenia.' The 
other is in Jeremiah, 51:27, 'all together against her 
(i.e., Babylon) the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni and 
Ashchenaz.' The question then is, what does this 
Ararat denote? Clearly the Alexandrian translators 
took it for Armenia; so does the Vulgate when it 
renders in Genesis, 8:4, the words which we trans- 
late, ' On the mountains of Ararat ' by 'super montes 
Armeniae.' This narrows it a little and St. Jerome 
himself helps us to narrow it still further when, in 
his commentary on Isaiah, 37:38, he says that 
* Ararat means the plain of the middle Araxes, which 
lies at the foot of the great mountain Taurus.' 

"The identification, therefore, is natural enough; 



30 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

what IS of more consequence is to determine how 
early it took place; for as there is little or no trace of 
an independent local tradition of the flood, we may 
assume the identification to rest entirely on the use 
of the name Ararat in the Hebrew narrative. 
Josephus (Ant. Jud., bk. 1, ch. 3) says that the 
Armenians called the place where Noah descended 
*the disembarking place, for the ark being saved 
in that place, its remains are shown there by the 
inhabitants to this day,' and also quotes Nicholas of 
Damascus, who writes that *In Armenia, above 
Minyas, there is a great mountain called Baras, upon 
which it is said that many who escaped at the time 
of the flood were saved, and that one who was car- 
ried in an ark came ashore on top of it, and that 
the remains of the wood were preserved for a long 
while. This might be the man about whom Moses, 
the lawgiver of the Jews, wrote.' 

*' Marco Polo, whose route does not seem to have 
led him near it, says only, in speaking of Armenia: 
*Here is an exceedingly great mountain, on which it 
is said the Ark of Noah rested, and for this cause it 
is called the mountain of the Ark of Noah. The 
circuit of its base cannot be traversed in less than 
two days; and the ascent is rendered impossible by 
the snow on its summit, which never dissolves, but 
is increased by each successive fall. On the lower 
declivities the melted snows cause an abundant 
vegetation, and afford rich pastures for the cattle, 
which in summer resort thither from all the sur- 
rounding countries.' " 

Legendary history makes Haik, the great-grandson 
of Noah, the first Armenian monarch. After that 
the country was semi-independent, then subject to 
Assyria, and then came under the Roman conquest. 
It was once part of the Greek Empire, and once a 



ARMENIA, THE MARTYR NATION 31 

Persian province. It was also part of the Empire 
of Ghengis Khan and Tamerlane. After the six- 
teenth century it was shared by Turks and Persians. 
In 1828 a strip of the Armenian territory was con- 
quered by Russia, and this was increased by the 
Berlin Treaty of 1878. 

It is chiefly of the Armenia that is under Turkish 
dominion that modern history is written. There 
are said to be 4,000,000 Armenians, of whom one- 
half are scattered over Western Asia. The inhab- 
itants are chiefly of the genuine Armenian stock, 
though in the course of time there has come to be 
some mixture with the border races. 

The Armenian tongue is of the Indo-European 
family of languages, but there are in fact two tongues 
— the literary and ecclesiastical language, known as 
"Old Armenian," and the ordinary spoken and 
written language, which is mixed with many Turkish 
and Persian words, and which is known as *'New 
Armenian." In the seventeenth century there was 
a revival of the Armenian literature and much more 
became known of the history and the genius of the 
people through Armenian authors. The Armenians 
have ever shown a fondness for enlightenment. It 
is well known that wherever an Armenian settlement 
exists there a printing press will be found. 

The Armenian Church is historic. Armenia was 
the first country which officially embraced Christian- 
ity. This was done at the beginning of the third 
century under Gregory the Illuminator, although 
some maintain that the Armenian Church was really 
founded as early as a.d. 34. In the sixth century 



32 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

the Armenian separated from the Greek Church, 
but the doctrines and usages closely resemble those 
of the Greek Church. The Armenian priesthood 
is hereditary. There are four patriarchs and one 
primate, or "Katholikos," the actual head of the 
Church, who resides in the monastery of Etchmiad- 
zin, north of Mt. Ararat in Russian territory. He 
is elected for life by delegates from the various 
Armenian communities throughout the world, who 
come here for that purpose when a vacancy occurs, 
and he is the spiritual head of all believers in the 
Armenian creed in America, Europe, Asia, and 
Africa. Though differing from orthodox Christians in 
many respects, the fidelity with which the Arme- 
nians have retained their ancient worship has always 
created a feeling of brotherhood for them among 
Christians in all parts of the world. 

The Armenians have been a persecuted people 
almost from the time their history begins. The Per- 
sians sought to root out Christianity. The Moham- 
medans time and again sought to cause them to 
abjure their ancient faith and frequently the waves 
of Moslem fanaticism have swept over them. 

The most notable persecution was in the enlight- 
ened nineteenth century, when the fearful massa- 
cres of 1895 and 1896 were perpetrated. Religious 
fanaticism had much to do with these massacres. 
The political policy of the Sultan Abdul Hamid, 
who was then in power at Constantinople, had more 
to do with it; and the desire to despoil the thrifty 
and industrious Armenians by their lawless neigh- 
bors also was an element of savage destruction. 



ARMENIA, THE MARTYR NATION 33 

It was late in 1894 that the civiKzed world was 
thrilled with horror over the news that several 
thousand Christians in Armenia had been butchered 
by savage and bloodthirsty Kurds, but the real 
story of the awful occurrence was not known for 
months later and by that time the situation had 
become a fearful one. Turkish Armenia, the north- 
western division of Kurdistan, is a great plateau 
of nearly 60,000 square miles, bounded on the north 
by the Russian frontier, on the east by Persia, on 
the west by the plains of Mesopotamia, and on the 
south by Asia Minor. In this section half of the 
people are Mohammedans. The Kurds lead a pas- 
toral and predatory life, dwelling in the mountain 
villages. Some of these tribes are migratory, but 
almost all are warlike, and many are brigands pure 
and simple. For centuries they have oppressed the 
Christians. The Kurdish costumes are picturesque 
and nearly all the tribesmen are magnificent horse- 
men. Years ago the Government at Constantinople 
organized them as a military force, but their spirit 
is one that scarcely brooks the restraints of mili- 
tary discipline. They were always formidably 
armed. 

It was these Kurds who filled the world with horror 
by their slaughter at Dalvoring and Sassoun. The 
first news of the deplorable plight of the Armenians 
and of the attack of the Kurds on the villages of 
Sassoun and Dalvoring came from Dr. Grace M. 
Kimball, an American missionary in Turkish Arme- 
nia. She sent a most vivid picture of the suffering 
that prevailed in the spring and summer of 1895. 



34 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Her story was corroborated by other missionaries 
and by the Turks themselves. 

Later came fuller accounts and stories of fresh 
atrocities. So widespread was the want that it was 
written, "Many declared in bitterness of heart that 
there was no food in all the length and breadth of 
Armenia, which was long ago the Garden of Eden." 
Still later came sickening stories of massacres at 
Trebizond, Van, Erzeroum, and other places. 

The city of Trebizond on the Black Sea, which 
was the scene of perhaps the greatest massacre — 
that in October 1895 — is older than Rome. The 
Greeks founded it 800 years before Christ. The 
Romans drove out the Greeks and the Emperor 
Trajan made Trebizond the capital of the Prov- 
ince of Cappadocia. Hadrian built the harbor. 
The Roman Emperor Justinian erected a splendid 
castle. Xenophon, the leader of the retreat of 
the 10,000 Greeks, found asylum there at the end 
of his famous march. The camel caravans today 
travel over the same route that was followed by 
Xenophon. 

The Reverend Cyrus Hamlin, founder of Robert 
College, Constantinople, and known to philanthropic 
Christendom the world over, confirmed the worst 
stories of what was going on. In an interview 
with Dr. Klopsch in The Christian Herald office 
Dr. Hamlin said: 

"I have lately finished reading two hundred 
letters from missionaries, a very large part of them 
dealing with the oppressions and sufferings of the 
Armenians, which were of the most frightful char- 



ARMENIA, THE MARTYR NATION 35 

acter. The poor creatures must have help before the 
winter opens in earnest or they will perish. The 
Armenian winter is usually very severe, the snow 
lying on the ground from four to six feet in depth, 
and the cold being intense. The whole civilized 
Christian world must help these people. They must 
be saved and assisted over the winter. They can 
look in no other direction for help, for there is no 
sympathy and assistance to be had from Turkey. 
Indeed the policy of the Sultan's Government is 
apparently dictated by a desire to efface the Arme- 
nian people altogether, at least those of them who 
will not accept Mohammed. When you talk sympa- 
thizingly about these people a Turk will say in sur- 
prise, ' Why do you speak in behalf of such worthless 
trash and try to save them.? They can save them- 
selves. All they need to do is to accept Islam, and 
then they are safe and out of trouble.' 

"And so a Turk regards it as strange that an 
Armenian should refuse to purchase his life at the 
cost of his faith; but there are some among them 
who take a different view. Some of the Turkish 
soldiers who shared in the terrible atrocities lately 
perpetrated on the Armenian Christians have been 
stricken by remorse afterward. One soldier who 
had borne his part in several horrible butcheries of 
women and children was so troubled that he could 
not sleep. He had visions of his victims that ulti- 
mately drove him insane." 

As news came of one massacre following another, 
and of the inertness, if not of the actual complic- 
ity, of the Turkish Government in the attacks, the 
whole Christian world became stirred. In England, 
where for political reasons the Ministry that was 
then in power had sought to shield the Turkish 



36 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Government, the indignation was voiced by the 
great statesman, WilHam E. Gladstone, and relief 
measures were undertaken by private societies and 
individuals. In the United States the movement 
for relief was spontaneous. As usual. Dr. Klopsch 
and The Christian Herald were foremost in it. An 
American, Mr. W. W. Howard, who had a short time 
previously returned from Armenia, was made Chris- 
tian Herald Commissioner, and started at once for 
Van to begin the relief work systematically. 

Meantime further details of the reign of terror 
were received. The American missionaries who 
were everywhere risking their lives were constantly 
threatened. But they continued to do their duty. 
An account of the massacre at Trebizond was re- 
ceived in a private letter. This letter said: 

Like a clap of thunder in a clear sky the thing began about 
11 A.M., October 8th (1895). Unsuspecting people walking 
along the streets were shot ruthlessly down. Men standing 
or sitting at their shop doors were instantly dropped with a 
bullet through their heads or hearts. The aim was deadly and 
I heard of no wounded men. Some were slashed with swords 
until life was extinct. They passed through the quarters 
where only old men, women and children remained, killing the 
men and large boys, and generally permitting the women and 
the younger children to live. For five hours this horrid work 
of human butchery went on. The cracking of musketry, 
sometimes like a volley from a platoon of soldiers, but more 
often single shots from near and distant points, the crashing 
in of doors and the thud thud of sword blows sounded on our 
ears. Then the sound of musketry died away and the work of 
loot began. Every shop of an Armenian in the market was 
gutted and the victors in this cowardly and brutal work 
glutted themselves with spoils. The intention evidently was 



ARMENIA, THE MARTYR NATION 37 

to impoverish and as near as possible to blot out the Arme- 
nians of this town. So far as appearance went the poHce and 
soldiers distinctly aided in this savage work. They mingled with 
the armed men and so far as we could see made not the least 
effort to check them. Apparently they took care to see that 
the right ones, that is Armenians, were killed; also that an offer 
of surrender might be made to all that were found unarmed. 
To any found with arms no quarter was given, but large num- 
bers were shot down without any proffer of this kind. One poor 
fellow when called on to surrender thought he w^as called on 
to give up his religion and when he refused he was hacked to 
pieces in the presence of his wife and children. While I write 
the wails of the newly bereaved fall on my ears. Some in 
suspense wait to know the fate of their missing ones; others 
rejoice at greeting them again. Throngs fill the schools that 
are under foreign protection and the consulates. There is no 
telling how many have perished. 

What was written of events at Trebizond was true 
of Van, of Erzeroum, of Bitlis, and of scores of 
other places. 

Further reports were received from Miss Kimball, 
telHng of the conditions and of the growing need 
for rehef. A cry that reached every heart was 
the appeal of Armenia at the Christmas season of 
1895 as voiced by the sympathetic pen of Mrs. 
Cyrus Hamlin, the wife of the veteran missionary. 
It was this: 

Fierce winter comes and we must die. 
Western brothers, hear our cry! 
In your ceiled houses warm. 
Safe shut in from sleet and storm. 
Help the houseless. Clothe the feet 
That must freeze in storm and sleet. 
Brothers! sisters! hear our cry. 
Winter comes, we all must die. 



38 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Free America! afar, 
Show the Kaiser and the Czar 
What the heart of God can teach — 
How the hand of man can reach! 
Send the Red Cross! Murder reigns! 
Pestilence walks through our plains! 
Send your ships with corn and wheat. 
Bid our starving thousands eat. 

In December a ray of cheer came from Miss 
Kimball in acknowledging the receipt of $10,000 
from The Christian Herald fund. ''This news," she 
wrote, "has given us our real Thanksgiving Day. 
We are now feeding at Van about 1,500 people 
daily, and are distributing clothing to these people 
and hundreds of other villagers who are in the 
greatest need." 

But in every district there was the same tragic 
story of massacre, outrage, pillage, and abduction, 
monasteries sacked and Christian pastors and peo- 
ple butchered. In many villages of Armenia priests 
were among the number who laid down their lives 
as a testimony of the faith. Thousands of women 
were carried away captive to become inmates of 
Moslem harems. At the village of Hoh in the 
Sanjak district the local magistrates promised to 
protect the Christians, but when they saw villages 
burning in every direction they refused to keep 
their word. All the Christians were told that under 
pain of death they must accept Islam. They were 
assembled at the mosque, and there eighty young 
men were picked out and led outside the village for 
slaughter. The young women of the village were 



ARMENIA, THE MARTYR NATION 39 

taken to Turkish harems, and the survivors of the 
Christian population were scattered among other 
villages. 

The chief Christian Herald relief station was at 
Van, but other stations were opened. Word now was 
received from Commissioner Howard. He wrote 
that the Kurds were raging up and down the country, 
burning villages, killing the inhabitants, committing 
all kinds of atrocities, and carrying off the sheep, 
cattle, and household property of the unfortunate 
people. He gave a list of the villages between the 
Persian border and the city of Van that had been 
destroyed. The traditional site of the Garden of 
Eden, the place that God made holy with His pres- 
ence, ran with blood and resounded with the shrieks 
of anguish of men and women. 

An account came from Oorfa of the slaughter 
there. It was written by Miss Corinna Shattuck, 
an American missionary of Dorchester, Massa- 
chusetts. She was the Christian heroine of that 
awful event. 

Writing under date of January 24, 1896, Miss 
Shattuck told this story of the massacre at 
Oorfa: 

. . . Sunday, in the early afternoon, martial music was 
heard and in triumphal strain. It proved a grand procession 
of mihtary and civil officers and private Moslems of wealth 
and position viewing the streets and homes. They requested 
entrance to our yard and that I appear on the veranda. They 
expressed salaams and "begged I would not be disturbed; 
the proceedings did not pertain to me; I was in perfect safety." 
I subsided as soon as possible. They peered into windows and 
inquired if we had men here. Servant and guards honestly 



40 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

said: "No, only women and children.'* Was I not thankful 
I had hidden elsewhere the sixty men? 

All day we had the smell of burning wool and cotton, bed- 
ding, etc., in the homes fired (buildings are of stone and so 
cannot be burned). Later, the indescribable, sickening odors 
from the great holocaust in the Gregorian Church, where some 
three thousand, having gone there Saturday night for refuge, 
perished. Monday the work was declared done. The Kurds 
and Arabs about the city were driven off by the soldiers and 
everywhere announcements were made that people were safe. 
Slowly they began to come out of their hiding-places; wells, 
vaults, drains, and all imaginable and unimaginable places. 
Some coming to me, Tuesday, had not tasted food since 
Saturday. They looked like corpses. Meanwhile, the authori- 
ties were dragging off the dead and burying them outside the 
city in long trenches. Fifteen hundred were so buried. Four 
days the line of Jews was seen on the brow of the hill just back 
of our house, lugging in sacks the bones, ashes, etc., from the 
church. Last of all came the clearing of wells. Some estimate 
that ^ve hundred were taken out. Many wells and cisterns 
are very large. I know of one from which twenty-five bodies 
were taken. In all, our dead number five thousand, as nearly 
as can be estimated. Our Protestant loss, one hundred and 
ten. The wounded under the care of the government physician, 
the only doctor left, were three hundred and fifty. Many of 
these died. We had twenty-two here under our care, our 
rooms and schoolrooms being filled with the most forlorn and 
helpless. 

Our special guards have been most faithful. We fed them 
regularly. They fought as for dear life that Saturday and 
Sunday, and kept the mob from us a distance of three doors. 
The mob entered our girls' schoolroom in the church yard and 
smashed boxes, glass, etc., but did no more in the church 
region. I saw a man shot down just across the street on one 
side, and heard the crashing, smashing of the doors all about 
us. I am told that the Sultan himself sent a telegram for my 
protection. Of course, if so, it was at the instigation of Minister 



ARMENIA, THE MARTYR NATION 41 

Terrell. I am thankful I am spared that I may serve; but I 
would willingly have died that parents might be spared to their 
children. The end we see not, we are in a thick cloud; but 
God lives and we will trust him though all expected help of 
man fail. 

Miss Shattuck lived for many years in Oorfa 
after these horrors, and did the great work of her 
life there. She died at her home in Massachusetts 
in the summer of 1910. 

There was one bright page in the story of Armenia's 
sufferings and of the massacres of defenseless people. 
The brave mountaineers of Zeitoun held their strong- 
hold against every attack until the Turkish Govern- 
ment was compelled to grant their demands and they 
could look to Europe to see that the conditions were 
faithfully fulfilled. 

Zeitoun was a fortified town in Cilicia, the fortress 
being 300 feet higher than the town itself. Its 
people were better educated and more independent 
than the Armenians of the interior and the Black 
Sea. When the peaceful Armenians of Marash and 
Alabash were attacked and slaughtered the Zeitoun- 
lis went to their aid. Then the Sultan sent officials 
to Zeitoun to disarm the people there, the usual 
preliminary to a massacre. The people revolted, 
attacked and captured the fortress, 600 soldiers 
surrendering to the victors. The Armenian women 
went to the fortress, the mosque, and other build- 
ings, and covered them with crosses, putting the 
cross on the top of the mosque to show that the 
whole town had become Christian. The Zeitounlis 
held the fortress for five months. Fighting was con- 



42 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

tinuous. At last there were no fewer than 11,000 
Turkish soldiers engaged in the siege, while the de- 
fenders numbered only 8000. The Zeitounlis gar- 
risoned the fortress and every point of vantage, and 
suffered a loss of only 80, with 75 wounded, who 
died because they had no medical aid. The Turks 
refused to let the Red Cross Society enter the town. 

Twice the Government representatives tried to 
begin negotiations, but their terms were so extrava- 
gant that the people would not listen. Then the 
representatives of the United Powers and the people 
chose three of the chiefs who conducted the defense 
to negotiate. The Sultan granted their demands. 
They were promised a Christian Kimakan, or Gov- 
ernor, for the Zeitoun District, chosen by the repre- 
sentatives of the Powers, and established under 
their guarantee, the people to appoint their own 
police and administration — all to be Christian. 

Slowly the clouds lifted in the desolated districts. 
The Turkish Government was compelled by the 
negligent Christian governments of Europe to cease 
connivance with the massacres. In some districts 
humane Turkish officials who did not sympathize 
with the slaughter were no longer interfered with 
in their efforts to prevent it. A letter of appreciation 
came from Miss Kimball dated at Van, January 7, 
1896. She wrote: 

Dear Dr. Klopsch: I inclose financial statement and 
summary of work now in hand. You will see by the inclosed 
how sorely we needed your magnificent fund, and perhaps you 
may be able to dimly imagine what a tremendous relief we 
experienced when your telegram came very opportunely on 



ARMENIA, THE MARTYR NATION 43 

New Year's Day. I cannot express to you adequately our 
deep gratitude to you and your co-laborers for this noble 
work. Many and many a poor villager says to me, "You have 
saved this province from a terrible famine." The praise be- 
longs not to me, but to yourself and the generous men and 
women in America and England who have thus generously 
opened their hearts and purses. We are indeed the only hope 
of these people for the winter. May the good work go on. 

Accompanying this letter was a summary of the 
reHef work at Van. 

A letter received by the National Armenian Relief 
Committee in New York from a leading missionary 
of the American Board in Constantinople gave some 
interesting information regarding the relief work 
generally. The missionary wrote: 

The funds so far appropriated will probably maintain the 
work on the present scale through the month of January. A 
special industrial relief is now being carried on at Van, where 
there are more than 15,000 refugees. The funds mainly come 
from The Christian Herald of New York. The American 
missionaries stationed in the provinces of Trebizond, Erzeroum, 
Bitlis, Van, Harpoot, Diarbekir, Sivas, Angora, Adana, and 
Aleppo are careful in maldng their statements, and their 
private letters; and their more formal reports to the United 
States Legation here have been extensively used in forming the 
opinions herein expressed. 

The Christian Herald continued its work of arous- 
ing the American people and of collecting subscrip- 
tions, which were promptly forwarded. It kept in 
close touch with the relief stations established. 
Official assurances were published that the relief 
funds had reached their destination safely. When 
the word came that the city of Harpoot, one of 



44 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

the chief stations of the American Board of Foreign 
Missions, had suffered greatly and that several thou- 
sand Armenian Christians had fallen there under 
the Kurdish and Turkish swords, a further remit- 
tance was promptly sent to that point. The Chris- 
tian Herald Commissioner kept up his active work 
of organizing relief stations. By this time sixteen 
of these stations were in operation. Miss Kimball 
continued to write of the good work that was being 
done: 

" The Christian Herald^ s bakeries," she said in one letter, "are 
forging along magnificently, and are the great famine break- 
water to the community. Last Saturday was the Armenian 
Christmas, and on the day before we made special effort to 
see that as many as possible were supplied with the bare means 
of existence. On that day 9,000 were actually provided for 
through the different departments, and untold suffering re- 
lieved. We blessed continually the generous people who make 
this work possible, and the Armenian people, though unable 
even to thank their benefactors directly, still do not fail in 
constant expressions of the profoundest gratitude." 

The Rev. W. M. Chambers wrote from Erzeroum 
acknowledging the receipt of $2,000 from The Chris- 
tian Herald fund : 

Allow me to thank you most heartily in the name of the 
thousands of suffering people here for the generous gift. We 
have distributed in this city 100 mattresses and coverlets, with 
a considerable amount of clothing and fuel. We are feeding 
daily 2,600 persons. We issue bread tickets to each family to 
be held for a week. The distress is indescribable. The grati- 
tude of the recipients is deep and most touching. 

In March 1896 came word that the crisis had passed 
and that the refugees were returning to their village 



ARMENIA, THE MARTYR NATION 45 

homes. It was thereupon arranged that the rehef 
funds should be closed in April. The American 
Board missionaries at Sivas, another station of The 
Christian Herald fund, wrote expressing the thanks 
of the sufferers of that section for the help extended. 
In the Sivas massacres 2,000 Christians were slaugh- 
tered, homes were looted, and chapels, dwellings, 
schools and even school books were burned. At 
Gurun 2,000 were killed, and 250 brides and young 
girls were abducted. 

In March Commissioner Howard got back to New 
York, after nearly six months of incessant travel, 
and many perilous adventures on the Turkish border. 
Although excluded from Turkey by special order of 
the government at Constantinople, he was never- 
theless able to do much toward aiding the relief 
movement. He rescued and aided the terrified 
fugitive Armenians who had fled across the snowy 
mountains to Salmis and other border cities in Persia, 
from the massacres in Van province; and in con- 
junction with the Christian missionaries at Urumia 
organized a relief movement there to care for the 
perishing exiles. Through his efforts the Persian 
border villages were transformed into havens of 
shelter and refuge for those who sought to escape 
the cruel Kurdish lances or the no less savage Turkish 
swords. 

Further letters came telling of the suffering that 
had been endured. From Cesarea the Rev. W. S. 
Dodd wrote relating the incidents of a relief expedi- 
tion to the adjacent village of Gigi: 



46 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

"When the plunderers approached, the people fled 
and so saved the clothes they wore. When they 
returned it was hardly more than roofs that they 
found. I visited every house, opening flour bins, 
uncovering jars and taking a light into dark corners. 
Most of the houses consisted of two rooms, some of 
only one. The first room presented only four mud 
walls and a mud floor with a hole in the center for 
a fire. Around this would be gathered 5 or 10 
children or adults spending their time in keeping 
warm. In many houses the flour bins were smashed 
to pieces and there was nothing to examine. When 
I asked them what they were going to eat tomorrow, 
'God knows,' they replied; 'we borrowed this to- 
day; perhaps we can borrow some more tomorrow.' 
In the whole village there was not a single bed, 
hardly a thing that could be called a quilt — noth- 
ing but little heaps of rags which they treasured up 
carefully to spread out for the night." 

One of the most touching stories of martyrdom was 
that contained in a letter from an Armenian farmer 
living at Shefik, a village near Harpoot. After tell- 
ing of the ravaging and burning of the place by 
Kurds and Turks successively, he wrote: 

"On the eighth day, as they had finished their 
work, they came to us who were on the banks of 
the stream. They killed brother Bagdogh's son and 
pastor Meclon, because they would not change their 
religion. It became night, darkness was upon us, 
but they came with lanterns and selected 45 young 
men, saying that the government wished them. 
Knowing what would befall them, they asked for an 
hour's grace. They prayed and sang, they asked 
forgiveness of each other, they kissed the hands of 
their parents and parted with tears with the expec- 



ARMENIA, THE MARTYR NATION 47 

tation of never seeing each other. Taking them to 
a desolate place half an hour distant they were taken 
apart two by two and threatened with death if they 
would not change their religion. They all with one 
voice agreed upon saying boldly, *We will not deny 
our religion; we are ready to die for our Saviour's 
love.' Only 5 succeeded in making their escape, 
but the remaining 40 became martyrs for the love 
of Jesus. My son Samuel was among the 45, but 
he escaped with 4 others and hid in a cave for 10 or 
12 days. My youngest son, 22 years old, was killed. 
How heart-rending was the sight! A week before 
we were in our homes, comfortable, having made 
every preparation for the winter, and having our 
friends about us; but like Job we were deprived of 
everything — dwelling house, furniture, beds, food, 
clothing. With heads uncovered, feet bare, Uttle 
clothing upon us, we passed from rock to rock, 
from mountain to mountain, with great wailing and 
lamentation, to find our children. Rachel weeping 
for her children, and would not be comforted, be- 
cause they were not." 

Miss Kimball, in a later statement of the con- 
dition of the relief work at Van, wrote: 

"My heart aches for the ladies and little children 
who are accustomed to live on the abundant milk 
in the villages; poor little things, with nothing but 
crusts of dried bread to munch now. And even the 
supply for the nurslings gives out when the poor 
mothers eat only insufficient dry bread; not only 
from physical hardship but the mental suffering 
often of grief for husband or brother murdered; 
always for houses robbed, property destroyed, and 
the hopelessness for the food. I call to mind one 
of hundreds of similar instances, a family of refugees 
in a house which I can see from where I sit while 



48 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

writing this. The father was killed, the mother 
with 5 small children fled to the city and found refuge 
in a cold, damp stable — no beds, no fire, no food 
and no clothing, the thermometer below zero. The 
mother fell ill with fever and when my attention 
was called to the family the baby was simply a 
skeleton in the last stages of starvation, and the 
other children were little better. It was a real 
satisfaction to be able through the generosity of the 
people at home to send on now with fuel, clothing, 
beds and medicine. But, alas, one of the men came 
the next day for a winding sheet for the baby." 

Here as always the cry of the children reached 
Dr. Klopsch's heart. Provision for the Armenian 
orphans was one of his first thoughts. In a letter 
from the Brussa Orphanage the question of provid- 
ing for the vast number of orphans whose parents 
were victims in the massacre was brought up by the 
principal of the orphanage, Gregory Bagdasarian. 
He wrote: 

"The Orphanage of Brussa, being the only Protes- 
tant asylum in this part of Asia Minor, has already 
opened its gates to the orphans of this glorious 
host of martyrs. The Armenian martyrs are now 
crowned by their Lord and Saviour, whom they would 
not deny. What should be done with the great 
number of destitutes and orphans.^" 

When the fund was closed and no further sub- 
scriptions were received for immediate relief work, 
it was found that there was a balance of a fraction 
under $7,000. The arrangement made was that this 
balance should be used for the support of orphan- 
ages at Oorfa, Harpoot, Mardin, and Van. Pledges 



ARMENIA, THE MARTYR NATION 49 

were made which enabled the orphans to be cared 
for for a period of three years, while further means 
were taken to establish them on a more perma- 
nent basis. Much attention was given to industrial 
training, and the Armenian orphanages more than 
justified the provision made for their maintenance. 
Miss Shattuck wrote from Oorfa glowing accounts 
of what was being accomplished, and equally favor- 
able reports were received from the other orphanages. 

During the closing days of the relief fund the 
responses of the friends of Armenia were prompt 
and liberal. It was arranged that The Christian 
Herald subscriptions should be closed, and that 
contributions intended for Armenia should thence- 
forth be sent to the Rev. Dr. Creegan, of the Ameri- 
can Board, by whom the money was cabled to the 
American missionaries. 

The total contributions to the fund from Septem- 
ber 4, 1895, when the first subscription was received, 
to June 1, 1898, when the last dollar was taken in, 
amounted to $63,867.98. There was hardly a mis- 
sion from Van to the Bosphorus in which the readers 
of The Christian Herald were not remembered with 
blessings and gratitude. 

Dr. Klopsch and the readers of The Christian Herald 
continued to afford relief to various districts of the 
Turkish Empire in later years when disasters came 
upon them. A liberal sum was provided for the 
earthquake sufferers at Constantinople, and this 
was distributed through Turkish sources. Erzeroum, 
late in 1901, suffered from an earthquake shock 
and some relief was necessary for the survivors. 



50 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

To this The Christian Herald readers contributed. 
Bitlis suflFered a severe earthquake in 1907, with 
much destruction of property and loss of hfe. Contri- 
butions were made to the survivors of this disaster. 

It was in the spring of 1909, when the rule of Abdul 
Hamid was ending, that more massacres of Chris- 
tians occurred. The scene of these horrors was the 
province of Adana. How far they were due to the 
intrigues of the Abdul Hamid regime, in order to 
excite the Christian world against the Young Turks 
who were gaining control in their long struggle for 
the regeneration of Turkey, and how far it was a 
sudden eruption of fanatical Mohammedanism, may 
never be fully known. But the recurrence of fanat- 
icism was marked by the usual scenes of murder, 
pillage, and worse. 

More than 30,000 Christians — Greeks, Syrians, 
and Armenians, but chiefly the latter — were slaugh- 
tered. In Adana and Tarsus the savagery was the 
worst. One report of the carnage at Tarsus said: 

*' Armenian men and women were stood up in 
rows, or one by one, and shot down to the applause 
of the Moslem multitude. Vast numbers are home- 
less and threatened with famine if they escape the 
sword. Only young Christian girls are spared and 
they are being bartered as if they were a new sort 
of currency. Children snatched from the breasts of 
murdered parents are being traded by their captors 
for arms and ammunition; and girls are sold into 
harems and rendered victims to even grosser hor- 
rors. The dead in the City of Adana lie in heaps, 
and in the Sihun River, flowing down to the Medi- 



ARMENIA, THE MARTYR NATION 51 

terranean, the bodies of women and children float 
thickly on the waves." 

Fever and famine followed the massacres. Con- 
tagious diseases broke out among the refugees. 
Ambassador Leishman cabled from Constantinople 
that great suffering existed in the ravaged districts 
and an epidemic was feared owing to the unsanitary 
conditions caused by unburied dead. 

Military law was proclaimed ; the Christian Powers 
sought to support the Young Turks in their efforts 
to control the fanatics. Further massacres were 
stopped, but the suffering continued. The mission- 
aries in Asiatic Turkey appealed as usual to Dr. 
Klopsch. The State Department in Washington in 
answer to a telegram from Dr. Klopsch gave full 
details of the work of the relief committee at Adana. 
Although international in character, it was largely 
composed of resident American missionaries headed 
by the American and the British Consuls. The 
appeal was for help for the refugees, the survivors 
of the horror. Turkey's new government had begun 
with an official investigation of the infamies, and this 
investigation later resulted in the punishment of 
many of the principals. Yet the great need was for 
immediate relief. This Dr. Klopsch met by a cable 
remittance for $5,000, soon to be followed by a second 
remittance of the same amount. These remittances 
were made in anticipation of contributions to the 
relief fimd. 

Relief work was got quickly under way, and food 
and medical supplies were distributed among the 
refugees. The officers and crews of the foreign war- 



52 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

ships greatly helped the missionaries in their humane 
work. 

The Christian Herald received contributions and 
transmitted them to the scene of suffering, until the 
distress was passed. The Armenians, not only of 
Asiatic Turkey, but all over the world, and espe- 
cially in the United States, showed their apprecia- 
tion of its work. Many letters were received from 
individual Armenian survivors of the massacres and 
famine telling of the splendid results which were 
secured by the prompt relief afforded. When all 
was over, the Young Turks were in full control at 
Constantinople, and their continued supremacy in 
the government of the Ottoman Empire affords hope 
that the days of massacres of Armenian Christians 
are passed. 



CHAPTER IV 



INDIA AND HER PEOPLE 

the home of three hundred millions hindus and mohammedans — 

causes of the great famines — crop failure in 1897 missionaries 

call for help — bishop thoburn — steamer " everett " dispatched 
by dr. klopsch "christian herald " remittances tales of suf- 
fering relieved — plan followed — thanks memorial in the tamil 
language — greeting from the methodists — good done through the 
fund — accounting for $400,000 — ambassador pauncefote conveys 
India's thanks. 

NO country in the world has a greater fasci- 
nation than India, with its many races, 
its numerous languages, its contrasted 
religions, its hideous system of castes, its strange 
customs, and its history of destructive wars and 
pestilences. 

There are 300,000,000 human beings in the Indian 
Empire. We do not realize just what India is on 
the map of the world, but actually it is a collection 
of kingdoms and peoples differing very widely in 
all their characteristics. A recent writer has sup- 
posed a roving traveler to enter India from the north 
through Cashmere and to survey the country in 
this manner: 

Radiating east and south the traveler would perceive the 
snowy slopes and cool valleys of the Himalayas, the sub- 
mountainous districts below them, the level plains of the Pun- 
jab, the stifling sands of Sind, the arid deserts of Rajputana, 
the steaming valley of the Ganges Basin, the rugged high- 

53 



54 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

lands of Central India, the tableland of the Deccan, the garden 
province of Guzerat, the palm-fringed Malabar Coast, the 
rice fields of Burma, the rocky hinterlands of the interior of 
Southern India, the fertile coastal territories of Coromandel, 
the forested tracts of the Ghauts, Mysore, and the Wynadde, 
the rolling downs of Nilgherries, and the tropic glories of 
Travancore. He would recognize in all these varying scenes 
distinct countries, differing one from another in aspect and 
altitude, in flora and fauna, and in soil and climate as com- 
pletely as do the peoples who inhabit them in race, religion, 
and language. 

Meanwhile, our hardy traveler might have experienced 
vicissitudes of temperature and rainfall able to confound all 
his previous knowledge. For instance, at Murree in the Punjab 
he might have been buried under six feet of snow; in Assam, 
after drowning in a rainfall that exceeds 400 inches a year, 
the process of thawing could have been accelerated by a trip 
to Jacobabad in Sind, where the thermometer looks down at 
130° shade; and for a dry climate Bickannis is hard to beat, 
seeing that twenty-four months may pass without any rain 
at all. 

The people of India described by Bishop Heber 
a century ago are today as he pictured them and 
as they were scores of centuries ago. 

The earliest record of events in the history of 
India is the Mahabharatha, or great war, a Sanscrit 
epoch written some fifteen hundred years before the 
birth of the Saviour. At the time it was written, 
settled government existed, and the arts of civiliza- 
tion had reached an advanced stage of development, 
kingdoms and governments were fully organized, and 
authority was handed down from father to son in 
settled succession. The poem illustrates the man- 
ners and customs of the time as well as the traits 



INDIA AND HER PEOPLE 55 

and usages of the people. A good deal of romance 
is mixed with the narrative. 

At the present time, the major divisions of the 
people exist with little variation about as they did 
in the days of the Mahabharatha, except that the 
Mohammedans, unknown at those remote periods, 
have overrun the country from north to south, and 
from east to west. The followers of the Prophet 
have never merged with the Hindus. They remain 
to this day quite distinct and separate. The old 
Hindu race, with its numerous interdivisions, keeps 
as aloof from other races as it did four thousand 
years ago, a striking example of the influences of 
caste in keeping races apart. The minor divisions 
of the people and the nomadic tribes remain also as 
they were centuries ago. 

The nature of the Indian country, so largely agri- 
cultural, makes the vast mass of the population de- 
pendent on the soil. Irrigation was a science known 
to the Hindus and to the Mohammedans many 
centuries ago. The Mahrattas of Southern India, 
the Rajputs in the North, and their conquerors, 
the Moguls, were irrigation engineers. In Southern 
India the dam of Madras, a solid mass of rough stones 
one thousand feet in length, forty to sixty feet in 
breadth, and fifteen to eighteen feet in depth, which 
stretched across the Cauvery River, is said to have 
been built in the second century. In the North, 
what is today the immense Bari-Doab Canal was the 
Hasli Canal of the Mogul Dynasties, which carried 
the water of the Ravi River to the region of Lahore, 
a distance of 130 miles. The inundation canals of 



56 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Multan were the work of the famous Mohammedan 
engineer of the 16th century, Diwar Sawn Mai. 

Notwithstanding these irrigation works, India has 
ever been a famine-stricken land. In the ancient 
times they were not sufficient to guard against the 
droughts, and, moreover, in the vast extent of coun- 
try plenty might obtain in one region and dearth 
in others. In modern times with the building of 
railways the means of relief have been augmented, 
for supplies can be quickly transported from one 
district to another. Very great improvement also 
has been made in the irrigation systems and the 
area under cultivation has been vastly extended. 
Nevertheless famines still come with almost distress- 
ing regularity. 
^^ In 1897 India was subjected to one of its great 
periodical famines. The crops were a failure in 
many districts. Hundreds of thousands of the na- 
tives were dying from hunger, fever, and other forms 
of pestilence. The whole world was appealed to for 
relief. The Viceroy of India formed a Government 
Committee in Calcutta. The Government of the 
United States lent its aid, and provided a ship of 
the Navy to carry the contributions made by the 
• American people. 

Many missionaries in India wrote to Dr. Klopsch 
regarding this famine, urging relief both on the 
grounds of humanity and as a material aid to mis- 
sionary labor. A cablegram from the Viceroy stated 
that American aid would be most welcome. This 
cablegram was published in The Christian Herald, 
whose readers quickly responded. A missionary 



INDIA AND HER PEOPLE 57 

committee was formed which included many of the 
leading American and English missionaries in India, 
and at the head of which was the distinguished 
Bishop J. M. Thoburn. To this committee, as to 
all missionary committees in subsequent work under 
similar conditions, was entrusted the duty of distri- 
bution, which was carried on by systematic organi- 
zation and through business-like methods. 

Cash contributions, as usual ranging from sums 
less than a dollar up to large checks, began to flow 
in in response to The Christian Herald appeal. For 
the week ending January 23, 1897, which covered the 
first subscriptions, the total was $354.64. For the 
week ending May 1, 1898, the total was $18,624.70. 
The amounts continued to aggregate liberal sums 
all through the year so that the cash relief which 
could be transmitted was constant. Most of the 
remittances were made by cable. 

Another very practical measure was characteris- 
tic of Dr. Klopsch. He chartered a steamship, the 
City of Everett, and proceeded to collect grain which 
could be distributed among the starving natives of 
India. Very liberal contributions were made and 
the railroads and other transportation lines cooper- 
ated by giving cash freight refunds. When a full 
cargo had been received the City of Everett sailed 
from San Francisco with the Rev. R. G. Hobbs in 
charge as the representative of The Christian Herald, 

Word came back from many sources of the good 
work that was being accomplished through the funds 
which Dr. Klopsch and his constituency supplied. 
The Rev. George H. Brock, a Baptist missionary of 



58 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Kaniji in the Nellore District, wrote that the suffer- 
ing of the people was terrible to witness, and it was 
a great help to him when The Christian Herald sent 
him a remittance from the funds so generously 
supplied by its readers. He set the starving people 
to work, he and his helpers distributing the relief 
in 36 villages, giving money or food to the aged or 
sick and employing the able-bodied in digging wells 
and other work which would be a permanent bene- 
fit to the communities. Mr. Brock had a field of 
missionary labor covering over a thousand square 
miles, with a population of 140,000. He was as- 
sisted by 27 native preachers and helpers. Another 
Baptist missionary in the Nellore District, the Rev. 
E. Bullard, wrote expressing gratitude for the funds 
received indirectly from The Christian Herald, 

The Rev. T. S. Johnson, of Jabulpur, wrote espe- 
cially regarding the support of orphans and describ- 
ing the method adopted in the distribution of the 
American grain. 

The general plan adopted was first to choose a 
village where the inhabitants were aborigines or 
were known to be specially poor. The relief list of 
the village was scrutinized and the poorer tenants 
were selected. A signed ticket was then given to 
the tenant for a very small sum, and he was told to 
come to the store where the grain was kept, present 
his ticket, and receive dole. Tickets of different 
colors were issued for different quantities of grain, 
so that the illiterate people might know the value 
of their tickets and get supplied with the right 
amount. The cultivators were ready to walk long 
distances to the central store to get their supplies. 



INDIA AND HER PEOPLE 59 

The Rev. Wm. Osborne Ballantine, of Rahuri, 
wrote: 

From early morning till late at night the driveway past 
our gate is crowded — the aged, who after all their years of 
hardship and scarcity are now dying of starvation; mothers 
with little helpless children pinched with hunger; other children 
with neither father nor mother, their ceaseless crying ringing 
in my ears as I write — when I tell you of all this you will 
understand that we are thankful enough to the good people in 
the home land whose gifts you have forwarded to us. Every 
dollar we have received from you is regarded as a sacred trust 
and is used to do the utmost good possible. Thousands of 
lives have been saved by The Christian Herald fund. 

The Rev. Dr. Lambert, of the Mennonite Church, 
who went to India as the bearer of a large sum of 
money contributed by the members of the Mennonite 
Church in America, on his return to New York called 
to see Dr. Klopsch and to tell of the gratitude of 
the people for all that The Christian Herald readers 
had done for them. One missionary wrote him that 
before the welcome help came the death rate in his 
district which nominally was under 50 in the thou- 
sand was forced by starvation up to the appalling 
figure of 627 in the thousand. 

The Rev. Richard Winsor, the American Board's 
missionary at Sirur, in a letter paid an eloquent 
tribute to the generous work of the readers of The 
Christian Herald, He wrote: 

The year of 1897 was a year of years. We were in the midst 
of a famine and plague. The pen of a ready writer would 
be needed to describe the want, suffering and wretchedness, 
much of which as we saw it here can never be made known. 
When there was not much prospect that we would be able to 
furnish relief the scenes began to be beyond endurance. But 



60 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

the splendid gifts from The Christian Herald and the help 
received from other sources nerved us and equipped us for the 
great work there was to do, and it has been a great work indeed. 
For months our whole time was given up to the work, which 
afforded us opportunities of becoming acquainted with the 
people and of putting the truth before them as nothing ever 
before enabled us to do. The people have been blessed, and 
everywhere pour out their thanks for what has been done for 
them. 

Another acknowledgment came through the Rev. 
J. E. Robinson, Secretary of the Central Conference 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in India. Mr. 
Robinson wrote: 

I have great pleasure in forwarding you a copy of a resolu- 
tion passed unanimously and with great cordiality at the 
recent central conference. I may add that in my editorial 
capacity numerous instances come under my notice of the 
grateful regard of those in this land for the good friends across 
the sea who write so nobly in behalf of the suffering people. 
Their splendid service will never be forgotten. 

The resolution was as follows: 

At the Biennial session of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
of India and Malaysia, held at Lucknow, the following reso- 
lution was unanimously passed : Resolved, — That the con- 
ference place on record its thankful acknowledgment of the 
sympathy and generosity with which the people of other 
lands have responded to the cry for aid in the Indian famine 
of 1897. And that we make special mention of the great help 
given through the agency of The Christian Herald, and also 
to the Rev. R. G. Hobbs and the Rev. George Lambert, through 
whose agency the ship-load of grain was distributed to the 
famine sufferers of India; and that we assured these gentlemen 
that not only was their service thankfully accepted by all who 
shared in their gifts but also that this exposition of international 
friendliness and sympathy has made a profound and pleasing 
impression upon the people of India both rich and poor. 




WIDOWS OF THE INDIA FAMINE 




ORPHAN CHILDREN OF INDIA SUPPORTED BY THE CHRISTIAN 

HERALD 



INDIA AND HER PEOPLE 61 

Dr. Hobbs had sailed on the City of Everett with 
the corn contributed by the friends of The Christian 
Herald, Dr. Lambert had served as a member of 
the International Missionary Committee organized 
by Bishop Thoburn to distribute the fund and the 
corn. 

On his return from India Dr. Hobbs brought from 
Madras an interesting document in the native lan- 
guage. It was written on parchment and was a mar- 
vel of delicate penmanship. Translated, it proved 
to be a message to the readers of The Christian 
Herald, The document was as follows: 

INDIA'S DEEP GRATITUDE 

The Orphan Home. 
Veyasarpaudy, Madras. 

To Dr, Louis Klopsch, Proprietor of " The Christian 
Herald;' and Rev. R. G. Hobbs, D.D., "The Chris- 
tian Herald's'' Famine Commissioner: 

Dear Sirs: 

[Here follows the document in the native language, 
of which the following is a translation.] 

[Translation.] 

We, the undersigned, workers, orphans, and 
scholars of the Madras Tamil Mission, have been 
impressed with the love and generosity of the people 
of Great Britain and Ireland in contributing such 
large sums of money for the relief of the famine- 
stricken millions of India. 

But we feel profoundly touched with that love 
which has prompted you to raise in America such 
an enormous quantity of grain and a magnificent sum 
of money to feed the hungry in a foreign land like India, 



63 



LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 



What a glorious calling to be Ambassadors of the 
Lord Jesus Christ and the great American nation, in 
bringing to our shores a steamer-load of grain! 

Realizing, as we do, the privations and hard- 
ships of India's poor, and the comforts your cargo 
of grain will bring to thousands of helpless women 
and famishing children, we feel we cannot let you 
leave Madras without thanking you heartily for 
this labor of love, and assure you that God will 
perform to you personally: (Hosea 14: 5-6). 

Will you kindly remind the readers of The Chris- 
tian Herald and your fellow-citizens in America that 
by feeding India's hungry millions they shall have 
the satisfaction of having fed Jesus himself. (Matt. 
25: 35). If a cup of cold water given in Christ's 
name will not lose its reward, will not God perform 
to them (Malachai 8:10).^ 

We are, dear sirs, yours in Jesus, 






•^ fan^^u^oe^ Ji^>nU. % i, y ei^^oMJ-^ 












INDIA AND HER PEOPLE 63 

There was also to Dr. Klopsch a message of greet- 
ing and gratitude from the Methodist Episcopal pub- 
lishing house at Madras. The publishing house from 
which the testimonial came originated in the work 
of Dr. A. W. Rudisill, who went from the Baltimore 
Conference in 1884 as a missionary to India. He 
took with him a little printing press, the gift of his 
father, which was large enough to print only a page 
of 6 inches long and 4 wide. One day Dr. Rudisill 
set up in type John 3:16 in Tamil characters. A 
large number of these small pages having been 
printed and circulated, their usefulness was soon 
demonstrated, and Dr. Rudisill began to agitate for 
a full-fledged printing establishment. Contributions 
flowed in and by the end of 1886 enough money 
was on hand to set up a press and the necessary 
type in the mission house. Later a larger press was 
secured and an electrotyping and photo-engraving 
plant and a bindery were added. Employees were 
secured who could set type in nearly all the languages 
spoken in India. It was from these employees, and 
from the orphans in the mission house, that this 
tribute came: 

To Louis Klopsch, Esq,, Proprietor ^' The Christian 
Herald": 

Dear Sir: The Methodist Episcopal Publishing 
House, Madras, India, send you greetings. Although 
Providence has, in undeserved mercy, preserved our 
beautiful city from dire calamities, our hearts bleed 
because large portions of India suffer from famine, 
pestilence and earthquake. 

We, therefore, the undersigned establishment of 



64 LIFE-WORK OP LOUIS KLOPSCH 

the Methodist Episcopal PubHshing House, Madras, 

India, hail with joy the arrival in our harbor of 

The Christian Herald Ship flying The Christian Herald 

Flag, As we look into her now empty store-rooms 

and reflect that they came filled with food for India's 

starving millions, we are overcome with amazement 

and gratitude at the wealth of love that prompted 

you to come so grandly to the help of this stricken 

land. 

The Agent of this Press, with a full heart, is also 

mindful of the fact that the columns of The Christian 

Herald were thrown open a few years ago to aid the 

then mere beginning of what is now a many-sided 

and extensive Publishing House, which we dare 

hope, through God's blessing, may be made a power 

for good in India, as is The Christian Herald in 

America and other lands. The God of peace be 

with you. 

We are, dear sir, yours cordially, 

A. W. RuDisiLL, Agent. 

^^7 77. W. Miles, Assistant to Agent. 

Madras, India. ^ 

The second testimonial is also signed by a number 
of Tamil, Telegu, Canarese, Hindustani and American 
employes in the binding, envelope, booklet, electro- 
typing, engraving and other departments of the great 
Madras Publishing House. 

The end of the famine was told of in a letter from 
Bishop Thoburn received late in January, 1898. 
The Bishop wrote: 

It is a wonderful relief to feel that the famine is practically 
over. Harvests in many districts are very bountiful and the 
people look hopeful once more; but it will be many long years 
before the traces of this awful visitation will wholly disappear 
from the country. 



INDIA AND HER PEOPLE 65 

Some months later Dr. Klopsch was able to pub- 
lish the audited statement showing the total receipts 
from all sources, and particulars of the distribu- 
tion through the American missionaries and by 
the Interdenominational Committee of which Bishop 
Thoburn was chairman, with the cost of sending out 
the steamer Everett with a cargo of food, and also 
the special fund apportioned among various mission- 
aries for the support and education of orphans whose 
parents perished in the famine. 

This statement showed cash contributions received 
by The Christian Herald amounting to $196,561.68; 
cash received from the sale of grain, etc., $46,810.35; 
cash freight refunds received from railroads and 
transportation lines, $13,130.01. This made total 
receipts from all sources of $256,502.04. In addition 
the cash value in India of the City of Everett's cargo 
was placed at $150,000. There were also over- 
pledges in the special orphan fund of $3,130.72. 
This meant that The Christian Herald's India relief 
fund had amounted to more than $400,000. The 
detailed account was given of the disbursements, 
with the public accountant's certification that after 
having carefully examined the books of The Chris- 
tian Herald and diligently compared every voucher, 
receipt, check, and stub, he had found the statement 
submitted to be an accurate and true statement of 
the receipts and expenditures in connection with 
the India famine fund under the auspices of The 
Christian Herald, 

Official notification of the result of the Indian 
famine fund work came in the form of a letter from 



66 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

William R. Day, Assistant Secretary of State, to 
Dr. Klopsch. This letter transmitted copy of a note 
from the British Ambassador conveying the thanks 
of the Government of India to Dr. Klopsch and the 
people of the United States for the sympathy they 
had shown the sufferers from famine in India by 
gifts of grain and money. The letter of the British 
Ambassador was as follows: 

Washington, D. C. 
Hon. John Sherman, 

Sir: I have received instructions from the Marquis of Salis- 
bury to inform you that the Government of India desire that 
their grateful acknowledgment may be tendered to the Govern- 
ment and to the people of the United States for the generous 
sympathy they have shown towards the sufferers from famine 
in India by gifts of grain and money, and Her Majesty's 
Secretary of State of India wishes to associate himself cordially 
with these expressions of thanks. I have the honor to transmit 
copy of a dispatch from the Government of India with its 
enclosures, and to request you to be good enough to convey 
the thanks of Her Majesty's Government and of the Govern- 
ment of India to Dr. Klopsch and others, by whose exertions 
the grain and money were collected. 

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, 
Your most obedient and humble servant, 
Julian Pauncefote, 

Accompanying the letter was a document signed 
by Lord Elgin, the Viceroy of India, and his official 
associates in the government relief work, which in 
giving details said: 

The Government and people of India are deeply indebted 
to the Government of the United States for the assistance thus 
rendered in the mitigation of suffering from famine; and in 



INDIA AND HER PEOPLE 67 

particular to Dr. Klopsch, proprietor of the New York Christian 
Herald, and the many other persons, by whose exertions the 
grain and money received in India have been collected. 

There was also a letter from Bishop Thoburn, in 
which further particulars were given of the distribu- 
tion of The Christian Herald funds. 



CHAPTER V 

THE GREAT INDIA FAMINE RELIEF 

WHEN FIVE MILLIONS FACED STARVATION FUNDS CABLED BY THE "CHRISTIAN 

herald" SPEEDING THE RELIEF SHIP "qUITO" PRESIDENT MCKINLEY's 

PRACTICAL SYMPATHY DR. KLOPSCh's VISIT TO THE STRICKEN LAND 

HIS GRAPHIC STORY OF SCENES OF SUFFERING — VIVID PEN PICTURES OF CITY 

AND COUNTRY ARRIVAL OF THE " QUITO " CARGO DISTRIBUTED MORE 

FUNDS missionaries' TESTIMONIALS DR. KLOPSCH's RETURN TO THE 

UNITED STATES SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES. 

INDIA'S freedom from starvation was brief. It 
lasted less than three years, though usually there 
had been an interval of nineteen or twenty 
years. But before the people had had time to 
recover from the appalling suffering of 1897 and 1898 
the monsoon, the rain-bringing, life-giving wind from 
the south, had again failed and the crops were 
withered. 

In November, 1899, the existence of the famine was 
officially recognized. At that time about 400,000 
peasants were affected. But it spread rapidly and 
in the succeeding year fertile districts which had 
suffered no such visitation within a century found 
that the crops were failing. The famine area was 
extending with fearful rapidity. Soon there were 
1,000,000 sufferers, then 2,000,000 were in need of 
aid. Not long after that the figures mounted to 
3,000,000 to 4,000,000, and finally there were 
5,000,000 natives on the verge of starvation. 

Late in 1900 letters began to reach the United 



THE GREAT INDIA FAMINE RELIEF 69 

States telling of the conditions. Every mail brought 
appeals for aid. Missionary after missionary wrote 
to Dr. Klopsch reciting the ominous news, and again 
asked his help in appealing to Christian people. So 
generous had been the response to the call for funds 
two years previously that he felt reluctant to plead 
again for the same country. It seemed as if America 
had done enough for India. But he found it impossi- 
ble to turn a deaf ear to the stories of suffering which 
every mail brought him. It was by no fault of their 
own that the natives of India were bowed under a 
visitation closely following on the heels of a former 
calamity. It was impossible to incur the responsi- 
bility of keeping silence in view of the reports of 
distress and the earnest prayers for help that came 
from the missionaries. The facts had to be told 
and the matter left in the hands of the American 
people to say whether the starving women and chil- 
dren of whom such harrowing accounts were received 
should live or die. 

The confidence of the missionaries in India that 
their appeal would not go unheeded was expressed 
in their letters. The pictures they drew of the con- 
ditions were convincing of the need of aid. 

Before the contributions from the readers of The 
Christian Herald could begin to be received in 
appreciable amounts Dr. Klopsch cabled $5,000 to 
be divided equally among five missionaries who were 
named. Four of these were Americans and the 
fifth was Pundita Ramabai. 

More urgent appeals came, showing the need of 
prompt work, and Dr. Klopsch thereupon cabled 



70 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

another $10,000. The money was sent direct to 
Bishop J. M. Thoburn, who had been chairman of 
the Interdenominational Committee in the famine 
of 1897. This Committee had special facilities for 
ascertaining which districts were in the greatest need. 

It soon became evident that grain would have to be 
shipped in from other countries. Letters and cable- 
grams represented the need of relief as so urgent, 
and the condition of the sufferers as so appalling, 
that in order to save thousands who would otherwise 
perish it was decided to forward grain with all dis- 
patch. The plan was to equip a flying relief ship to 
carry a load of American corn to Bombay. With 
this object in view Dr. Klopsch cabled the British 
Government announcing the readiness of Christian 
America to give of its abundant products to save 
lives in far-off India, and requested that transporta- 
tion be provided for the projected cargo. To this 
message the British Government, after communicat- 
ing with the Viceroy's Committee in India, replied 
that the Indian Government was deeply grateful for 
renewed American sympathy and would pay the 
transport provided the cargo was placed at the dis- 
posal of the Central Committee of famine relief. 

It happened that during the closing months of the 
famine of 1897-98 the Navy Department had been 
authorized to send out a ship with a relief cargo, 
but happily the suffering had ended before this 
could be done. Dr. Klopsch at once moved to secure 
the ship from the Navy Department for the present 
emergency. This was done by the cooperation of 
Secretary of State Hay with Secretary of the Navy 



THE GREAT INDIA FAMINE RELIEF 71 

Long. The Quito was obtained and appeals were at 
once sent out for contributions to her cargo. They 
came from every corner of the land, until 200,000 
bushels of grain were loaded on the ship, which lay 
at the dock in Brooklyn. There was probably not 
a church organization or society in the land which 
failed to share in the life saving work. Little village 
communities and agricultural groups in the great 
corn growing states loaded up cars with corn and 
sent them on to swell the relief ship's cargo. In all 
5,000 tons, or 200,000 bushels, were taken aboard. 
In addition to the corn there was a quantity of 
seeds suitable for sowing in India. 

While the relief cargo of grain was being gathered, 
the work of collecting money and transmitting it 
directly continued. Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of 
India, transmitted to the Government of the United 
States a dispatch showing the extent of the calamity, 
and indicating that while the Indian Government was 
devoting its energies to fulfilling its duty to save 
5,000,000 persons from starvation, contributions 
from American friends of India would be thankfully 
received and would be devoted to the material relief 
of the suffering. The dispatch was brought to the 
attention of Dr. Klopsch in the following letter from 
the Assistant Secretary of State: 

Department of State, 
Washington, D. C, March 24, 1900. 
Dear Mr. Klopsch: Recalling your interest in the busi- 
ness of Cuban relief in 1898 and your efforts to assuage 
suffering in Russia, India and Armenia, I take the liberty of 
sending you a copy of a press item which has just been given out 



72 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

expressing the willingness of the Indian Government to receive 
famine contributions from this country. 

Very cordially yours, 

Alvey a. Adee. 

President McKInley, who had taken a personal 
interest in seeing that the action of Congress in 
providing for the charter of the Quito for the relief 
in 1897-98 was made effective in the present 
famine, showed his interest in The Christian Herald 
rehef movement by contributing $100. Secretary 
Hay did the same. 

Reports of the suffering and misery of the people 
of India had become so appalling that in order to 
save time and get the relief to them at the earliest 
possible moment, early in April The Christian Herald 
cabled an additional remittance of $25,000. It was 
a most welcome gift and was the Easter offering 
of the American people. Within a short time Dr. 
Klopsch was able to announce that the whole nation 
was helping India, its great heart having been 
touched by the woes of that famine-stricken land. 
But he knew the end was not yet. Therefore early 
in April he announced that he himself would pro- 
ceed to India to render what aid might be given by 
his personal presence. He went first to London, 
where he had an interview with Lord George Ham- 
ilton, the British Secretary of State for India, who 
discussed with him the plans for the relief work. 
Lord Hamilton expressed the warmest appreciation 
of America's generous aid to India. He gave to 
Dr. Klopsch letters of introduction to Lord Curzon, 
the Viceroy, and to several other high officials. 



THE GREAT INDIA FAMINE RELIEF 73 

In the meantime the arrangements were completed 
for the saiUng of the Quito. The cargo was insured, 
and was valued at $100,000, which at the famine 
rates at which corn was then selling in India was 
equal to $300,000 worth of corn in Bombay. The 
ship's charter cost $40,000, which w^as paid by the 
generosity of the United States Government. 

The Quito sailed from Brooklyn on May 10th. 
From topmast to deck the vessel was dressed with 
the flags of all nations, her commander. Captain 
Baird, having run up The Christian Herald flag 
and streamer on the foremast right below the Stars 
and Stripes. There was a programme of praise ser- 
vices, with remarks by the Rev. R. G. Hobbs, who 
had accompanied The Christian Herald famine ship 
City of Everett to India in 1897, Commander Booth 
Tucker of the Salvation Army, Rev. S. T. Willis, 
Rev. Richard Winsor, Rev. A. C. Dixon, and the 
Countess Schimmelmann. The prayer for blessing 
on the ship and cargo was by the Rev. Mr. Neeld. 

Theodore Roosevelt, then Governor of New York, 
sent a note in which he conveyed "the heartiest ac- 
knowledgments on behalf of the people of this State 
on the splendid work you have done." A letter was 
read from President McKinley, regretting that the 
pressure of public duties prevented him from being 
present at the ceremonies. "It would have given 
me," he wrote, "peculiar pleasure to be with you on 
this occasion. The success of this work is eminently 
gratifying to me, as it must be not only to those 
immediately engaged but to the country at large." 

Secretary Hay wrote, "I should be very glad if 



74 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

it were possible to be present at the departure of the 
vessel which has been freighted by our philanthropic 
citizens through the agency of The Christian Herald 
to relieve the terrible calamity which is now devas- 
tating India, and to testify the interest I have taken 
in the work you have so nobly done; but I greatly 
regret that engagements from which I cannot free 
myself detain me here." Secretary Long also wrote 
expressing regrets at his inability to be present. 

While the ship was on its way Dr. Klopsch was 
hastening to India. He left New York in April and 
arrived in Bombay Saturday, May 12th. He found 
the situation so appalling and the need for imme- 
diate help so urgent that he placed a large sum at 
the disposal of the Interdenominational Missionary 
Committee for the relief work, thus again consider- 
ably anticipating the contributions as he had done 
on other occasions. He cabled briefly telling of his 
meeting the Governor of Bombay and of addressing 
the members of the Interdenominational Missionary 
Committee. He then started for the interior. 

A graphic story of the suffering as seen by Dr. 
Klopsch's sympathetic eyes, and a vivid picture of 
the conditions, was given by his own pen. Extracts 
from his account of his tour in India as published in 
The Christian Herald show how deeply the scenes of 
suffering moved him and how he sought to alleviate 
it. He wrote: 

"Famine in India! How I dread to write about 
it! What pen can adequately portray the scenes 
which my eyes have witnessed.^ Scenes of desola- 
tion, of pain, of suffering, of hopeless despair, of 



THE GREAT INDIA FAMINE RELIEF 75 

heart anguish, of death! And what a death! Lin- 
gering, agonizing, torturous, terrible! An indescrib- 
able death, coming on gradually; slowly, but surely 
tightening its grip, until its victim, consciously help- 
less, the eyes abnormally distended and unnaturally 
lustrous, sinks down overcome with dread apprehen- 
sion. Then a feeble but fruitless effort to rise again, 
a protracted, spasmodic gurgle, an occasional revivi- 
fication; a final, prolonged, appealing, anxious, de- 
spairing look, the death rattle, and all is over. Then 
the funeral! If the undertaker be a jackal or a vul- 
ture, it may possibly be imagined, but it should 
never be described. Otherwise, the body is burned, 
and its ashes fertilize the sun-baked, kiln-dried, 
sterile ground. 

"I had fully expected to witness great distress, 
intense suffering, yes, even death. I realized my 
own feebleness in the face of so great a calamity. I 
had nerved myself for the mission in hand; yet, I 
was in nowise prepared for the dreadful, shocking 
state of affairs I was called upon to encounter. On 
the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, while sweltering 
in a range of temperature and a degree of humidity 
to which I was wholly unaccustomed, fellow-pas- 
sengers had endeavored to convey to my mind some 
idea of the sad, heartrending scenes one is apt to 
meet with in the famine territory; but had I the 
power to intensify a thousand times all I heard, when 
face to face with the dreaded reality, I should have 
felt even then that 'the half had not been told.' 

"On the day of our arrival, the streets of Bombay 
were literally alive with walking skeletons. Every 
step of the way we were beset and besieged by men, 
women and children in the last stages of destitution, 
piteously begging for a mite that they might eat and 
live. They prostrated themselves before us, calling 
upon us as the 'Protectors of the poor, our Father 



76 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

and Mother, our King and our God/ to save them 
from starvation. 

"They hfted up their hands in earnest suppKea- 
tion, and uttered their petitions while vigorously- 
slapping their naked, hollow stomachs to indicate 
that for a long time they had had nothing to eat. 
They held out their hands with a beseeching look, 
hoping that we might drop a coin that would pur- 
chase at least enough food to satisfy their hunger 
just for an hour. Gaunt men, emaciated women 
with parched bosoms, nursing shriveled, diminutive, 
hollow-eyed, sickly babies; children with legs and 
arms like clothes-pins, every rib plainly visible, all 
ran toward us and after us, completely surrounding 
the carriage and entreating us every step of the 
way. 

"I was tempted to give them all I had, but Rev. 
Mr. Frease, who accompanied me, begged me not to 
do it, fearing if we gave to some that the rest would 
become frantic and endanger our safety. * Where 
do these unfortunate people come from.^^' I asked. 
' They come from the villages in families and groups 
to the larger cities, hoping there to be able to beg 
enough to keep them alive,' was the reply. 'How 
many of them are there in Bombay.^' 'Tens of 
thousands,' responded my companion. 'The muni- 
cipality sent seven thousand by rail to the Relief 
Camp at Thana, twenty -five miles away, the other 
day, but six thousand left in one night and returned 
to the city, walking the entire distance.' 

"All along the drive of over two miles, between 
our hotel and the Marathi Mission, doorways, stoops 
and curbstones were occupied by these helpless un- 
fortunates, many of them more than three-fourths 
naked and all of them miserably clad. The most 
persistent in their entreaties were the nursing moth- 
ers, and nearly every other woman belonged to that 



THE GREAT INDIA FAMINE RELIEF 77 

class, and the saddest sight of all were the poor 
child mothers, themselves in need of maternal 
attention, hugging their emaciated, hollow-templed 
and sunken-eyed babies with an intensity of affec- 
tion that almost broke our hearts to witness — par- 
ticularly in view of our own utter helplessness to 
relieve their distress. 

"Houseless and homeless, these unfortunates sleep 
in the streets of Bombay at night. They He down 
just where they happen to find themselves when tired- 
ness overtakes them, and it is no exaggeration to say 
that I have seen as many as five hundred asleep on 
the sidewalk of a single block, lying so closely that 
it was almost impossible to thread one's way through 
the maze. In the less frequented streets they sleep 
also in the driveways, and in order to drive through 
without accident it is necessary to send an advance 
courier to wake up the sleepers. Of course, they 
have neither bed nor covering, and to see the little 
ones on the hard stones cuddle up to their mothers 
was one of the most pathetic, touching sights that 
I have ever witnessed. 

*'As in the city, so along the country roads of the 
famine district, there are constant streams of grim, 
gaunt, hungry, despairing people, bound from the 
villages for the relief stations; for the Famine Code 
requires the starving to break up their homes and 
travel from fifteen to twenty miles, yes, sometimes 
over thirty miles, in order to obtain relief. Hence, 
no wonder that along the sun-baked, kiln-dried 
roads of famine-stricken India, dead bodies have 
strewn the way and sickened the hearts of our 
missionaries, and that when certain death stares 
these wanderers in the face they, as a last resort, 
offer their children for sale at a few annas each, in 
the hope that such a course will ensure the lives of 
the little ones and enable their parents to journey 



78 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

further on, with a prospect of getting to where relief 
awaits them! 



**We journeyed 150 miles south, and 200 miles 
north, of Bombay. Desolation and death were 
written all over the famine district. A more dis- 
couraging condition could not well be imagined. 
For miles and miles not a blade of grass! The sun 
relentlessly sent its destructive rays on man and 
beast. The hot soil, hard-baked, refracted the heat 
and rendered life a burden. Crowds of human 
beings, emaciated and debilitated, moved from place 
to place in vain search for food, mutely appealing 
for help that never came. Cattle, reduced to very 
skeletons, feebly crept about in quest of fodder, and 
in lieu of it licked the hot soil as though to propi- 
tiate its anger. Trees, stripped of all their bark to 
the very tips, stood out like white skeletons against 
the cruel, fiery sky. Vultures, perched on leafless 
branches, listlessly waited for victims. Not a breath 
was stirring. The silence of death had settled upon 
the country. I feel it now as I write, so much so 
that the scratching of the pen seems harsh and intru- 
sive. There is something uncanny about this silence. 
It enters one's very being and benumbs one's senses. 
It kills ambition. The desire for life passes away 
and an absolute indifference to fate takes its place. 
We were in the great graveyard of India. It covered 
350,000 square miles, equal to any eight States west 
of the Mississippi. Death and decay were round 
about us on every hand. Possibly we might never 
again get beyond its confines. Who could tell! 
Awful as it was, we did not realize it then, for that 
required thought, and this ominous, deathlike silence 
paralyzed thought. 

"One experience which stands out from all the 



THE GREAT INDIA FAMINE RELIEF 79 

others most distinctly in my mind, is our visit to 
Ahmedabad. We got there about half-past five 
in the evening, and without waiting to visit the 
accommodations provided for our entertainment we 
hastened to the poor-house. 

"On the shadeless plaza before the gate were 
nearly 250 reeking, filthy bundles of rags, containing 
as many human beings in various stages of emaci- 
ation, some standing, some squatting in Oriental 
fashion on the ground, others lying flat on their backs, 
and still others lying with their faces to the ground, 
in order to screen themselves from the burning rays 
of the evening sun. The thermometer ranged at 
about 110 deg. in the shade; not a breath of air was 
blowing, and the heat and stench contributed to 
make us physically as ill at ease as the sad scenes of 
destitution, misery, pain and helplessness made us 
so mentally. It seemed impossible that any part 
of the great human family could reach such depth 
of misery as was everywhere visible. 

**0n inquiring why these people were exposed to 
the relentless rays of the sun without shelter or 
shade, I was told that they had been brought in from 
the neighboring villages on carts and were to remain 
under observation for twenty -four hours in order to 
determine whether symptoms of contagious disease 
developed. They had come in during the afternoon, 
they had lain there for three or four hours, they 
were to remain there all night and to stay there 
all the next forenoon. Possibly the evening of the 
next day they would be admitted to the inhospitable 
shelter of the Ahmedabad poor-house. Myriads of 
flies were feasting on each individual bundle, and the 
eyelids, mouths, nostrils and ears were all besieged 
with battalions of flies gorging themselves on the 
helpless victims of the India famine. 

"The most distressing phase of all this indescri- 



80 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

bable misery was the dear little children who seemed 
to be in constant agony, internal and external. 
They did not cry aloud, because they lacked the 
vital inner force for such effort; though their faces 
were constantly crying no sound was heard, and as 
we looked at these innocent, helpless little things — 
so emaciated, hollow-templed, sunken-eyed, the nape 
of the neck so sharply indented under the skull that 
the head looked abnormally large and ill-supported 
— the burden of sympathetic grief became almost 
unbearable. Sometimes tears rolled down their 
cheeks, and the mother sitting next to the child 
would wipe the tears away with a part of her dirty, 
filthy garment, and something hke a sigh would 
escape to indicate the depth of sorrow that was 
laying hold upon her heart. As we stood there 
watching this motley crowd, overawed, as it seemed, 
by dozens of tall, skeletonized men with long beards 
and large, abnormally lustrous eyes peering out of 
depressed sockets, half inquisitive, half reflective, 
our attention was directed to two groups of burden- 
bearers, each group bearing a cot; one set bound 
for the poor-house, the other set coming from it. 
On the cot bound for the poor-house was a man 
about twenty years of age, long and thin, sheltering 
with his hand his eyes from the sun. He was a 
fever patient, and was going in for treatment. On 
the other cot was a man who had received 'treat- 
ment,' and was now bound for the funeral pile, 
where fourteen were to be burned that evening. 

"We went into the poor-house where over a thou- 
sand people in various stages of nudity and emacia- 
tion were seated on the ground, waiting to be served. 
It was time for the evening meal. We left them for 
the time being, and, taking a turn sidewise we en- 
tered the hospital section, which was the worst, with 
one or two exceptions, that I had occasion to visit. 



THE GREAT INDIA FAMINE RELIEF 81 

We first went through the cholera wards, and there 
in every ward we found dead bodies on the cots or 
on the ground. Every fifth or sixth cot had a corpse 
on it. I asked why they were not removed, and an 
attendant rephed that the victims had died after 
twelve o'clock noon, in which case there is no re- 
moval until the time for burning, which is eight in 
the evening. It was a gruesome sight to see these 
dead men and women, with expressions of intensest 
agony on their faces, lying there; and the only com- 
forting thought was that they were beyond suffering, 
and that the famine in India, with its plague, its 
cholera, its smallpox and its fever, could no longer 
affect them. 

"Down in a corner of one of the wards, in which 
we had found three dead bodies, lay a tall, broad- 
shouldered man, stone dead. He had died during 
the afternoon. Back of him was his little four-year- 
old girl, tenderly fondling him and vainly endeavoring 
to attract his attention. Her face seemed to indi- 
cate that she was beginning to realize that something 
was amiss; and yet there was her father, and what 
she apprehended vaguely could not very well be, 
so long as he was there. We stood looking on, our 
hearts almost breaking and the tears coursing down 
our cheeks, when a little commotion at the entrance 
to the ward claimed our attention. They were 
bringing in the patient whom we had seen on the 
cot outside, and who required medical treatment. 
The attendant lifted him up and raised him on his 
feet, then supporting him on one side, the feeble 
patient staggering as best he could with the aid of 
this support, he walked him to the corner and placed 
him down on the ground, face to face with the dead 
man whose little child was fondling him. The thing 
took but a few moments, but the horror of the situa- 
tion so appalled us that, for the moment, we were 



82 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS EXOPSCH 

stupefied. It seemed impossible that any one could 
commit so unnatural an act. We called the attention 
of the man to what he was doing. We asked him 
why he did not make room elsewhere for the patient. 
He replied that within an hour the dead man would 
be removed and the patient then could have the 
whole corner to himself. 

"The worst that has ever been written about the 
suffering among the 60,000,000 of people affected 
by the famine in India fails even to approximate 
the actual condition of affairs. It is absolutely im- 
possible to exaggerate the truth. The statement 
that millions are starving gives but a very general 
idea of what is actually taking place. To illustrate 
what fearful suffering prevails there, let me give you 
this instance from my own experience while visiting 
the famine districts: 

"We arrived at Dohad, in Gujarat, the Garden of 
India, at ten minutes after one of the afternoon of 
May the 24th. Dr. J. H. McNeill, the Irish Presby- 
terian missionary located there, was at the station. 
Within five minutes I was seated in his cart and on 
the way to what until recently was one of the largest 
relief camps. As far as the eye could see there was 
not a blade of vegetation. The heat was intense; 
the thermometer indicated 108 degrees. A hot, blind- 
ing sandstorm filled our eyes and nostrils with 
microbe-laden dust, and the all-pervading stench 
from putrefying bodies impregnated clothes, hair 
and skin. Cholera had broken out a short time 
before and 2,400 famine sufferers had died within a 
few days and had been buried in shallow ground. 
Decomposition speedily set in and impregnated the 
ground with death-dealing malodor. Then the bodies 
were disinterred and burned. There were no disin- 
fectants, hence the awful, sickening, disease-spread- 
ing, suffocating stench. At the outbreak of the 



THE GREAT INDIA FAMINE RELIEF 83 

cholera the camp stampeded and 6,000 infected, half- 
starved people spread contagion for miles around. 
At the hospital I was appalled at the shocking con- 
dition of affairs with which at that moment I came 
face to face, and that I ever got out of Dohad ahve 
is one of the greatest of the many incontrovertible 
evidences of God's kind protecting care which my 
life has experienced. 

"We found 550 miserable human beings in the 
worst stages of emaciation. In sixteen days 374 
had been admitted, and of these all but twenty had 
died. Others had been received since then, and now 
men, women and children, some of them absolutely 
nude, and all the others miserably clad, were lying 
around suffering from relapsing fever, cholera and 
dysentery, wallowing in the mire. Millions of flies 
were permitted undisturbed to pester the unhappy 
victims. One young woman who had lost every one 
dear to her, and had turned stark mad, sat at the 
door vacantly staring at the awful scenes around 
her. In the entire hospital I did not see a single 
decent garment. Rags, nothing but rags and dirt. 
A native hospital attendant was standing at the cot 
of a dying man. The death-rattle had already set 
in, but the vitality of the patient held out a little 
beyond the expected time, and the attendant seemed 
provoked at the delay, and gave us impatiently to 
understand that the man should have been dead 
long ago." 

Vivid descriptions were given of the visits to 
Baroda, Godhra, as well as Dohad — all three in 
one day — and the fearful scenes of death and suffer- 
ing witnessed, but happily they are long past and the 
harrowing story need not be repeated. Dr. Klopsch 
continued his journey and everywhere was welcomed 
by the missionaries, the officials of the Indian Gov- 



\ 



84 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

eminent, and the suffering natives whose distress 
he was doing so much to alleviate. 

Dr. R. A. Hume, the famous missionary of Ahmed- 
nagar who received a decoration from the Indian 
Government for his famine work, was a great friend 
of Dr. Klopsch and warmly welcomed his coming 
and seconded his efforts. 

Dr. Klopsch was invited to visit the Taj Mahal 
at Agra "the most beautiful tomb in the world," but 
he declined. His account of his declination was 
characteristic : 

"'You surely will go to Agra and see the Taj 
Mahal before you sail.^' said my companion, when 
I informed him that we were that day to begin the 
last trip before our return home. 'Everybody that 
comes to India visits at least that,' added he, by way 
of encouragement, when I shook my head negatively. 
We had come to see the famine fields and our time 
was getting short and every moment of it was mort- 
gaged in advance up to the hour of our departure. 
Relief operations were of immediate and urgent im- 
portance, while sightseeing could be deferred." 

\ The relief ship Quito reached Bombay on June 28th. 
There was a wonderful reception. The Rev. Mr. 
Winsor and his wife, who made the voyage on the 
steamer, were the center of a very interesting demon- 
stration. At the formal public reception there was 
a large gathering, including the Viceroy's represen- 
tative, many high state officials, influential natives, 
and business men. In the addresses the speakers 
with one accord warmly welcomed the arrival of 
the relief ship, and expressed the deep gratitude of 



THE GREAT INDIA FAMINE RELIEF 85 

India for the generous aid of the American people 
conveyed through The Christian Herald. It was a 
princely gift and came at a time of all others when 
it would be of the greatest service in saving life. 
Telegrams from the Viceroy, Lord Curzon, and the 
Governor of Bombay were read to the audience 
amid tremendous enthusiasm. These messages ex- 
pressed the warmest congratulations upon the safe 
arrival of the Quito and also upon the splendid life 
saving work already accomplished in the relief 
campaigns through the funds supplied by Christian 
America. 

The cargo was found in good condition. Unload- 
ing began at once and railway cars were soon filled 
with the precious food. When all had been trans- 
ferred to the cars they presented an imposing sight, 
several great trains being filled with the 5,000 tons. 
The cars were decorated, and soon the various trains 
were speeding to their destinations in the interior. 
But the food supplies from the United States still 
had to be supplemented by cash contributions in 
order to purchase grain and other necessities on the 
ground. Therefore early in July another $100,000 
was cabled by The Christian Herald. 

Dr. Klopsch was not able to remain long in India, 
but the time was long enough to satisfy himself that 
every dollar collected by The Christian Herald and 
every bushel of grain supplied was being properly 
distributed. His presence in the stricken land was 
an inspiration to the missionaries, to the relief com- 
mittees, and to the people. 

One missionary, writing froni Chikulda Berer, said: 



86 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

It was an inspiration to be daily in his company, so remark- 
able was his energy and so genuine and undemonstrative his 
sympathy in the starvation which he saw for the first time and 
all at once in its most awful form. I could scarcely have 
believed that a man with so lively a sense for the enjoyable 
side of life would depart without visiting one of the places 
which tourists love to see or giving a thought or an hour to 
the sight of the cities where duty took him. His mind was 
bent on seeing the famine, and he spared no effort to see as 
much of it as possible. He knew nothing of midday rest or 
afternoon siesta, but either wrote in the house or went about 
inspecting all day long. Although quite unused to the Indian 
sun, he thrice took a drive of from 6 to 14 miles in the heat of 
the day, and then spent one, two, or three hours on his feet 
inspecting a relief work or a poor house. I have known him 
to visit three places in a day and walk about in the blazing 
sun of May for several hours at a time till he had seen all he 
wanted. 

Having completed the work he undertook in 
India, Dr. Klopsch returned to the United States 
after a most valuable and unique experience. His 
cordial reception by the people and press of India, 
the kind words he heard on every hand in apprecia- 
tion of the benevolence of the American people 
deeply impressed him. In describing some of his 
experiences after his return Dr. Klopsch said : 

"We arrived at the most advantageous time of 
the year. People were amazed — for at this season 
nothing is quicker in India than death and burial. 
It is by no means an uncommon thing for a man 
apparently healthy to be dead and buried within 
the brief space of five hours, and not infrequently 
the bare, ghastly skull of a man may be seen on the 
very field over which the day before he had walked 
in perfect health. 



THE GREAT INDU FAMINE REUEP 87 

"There is a malignant type of dysentery that 
quickly perforates the bowels and drains the blood. 
Typhoid fever and plague, which everywhere abound, 
swell the list, and all these with death on every hand, 
contribute to make the white man feel that when he 
has done his duty he had better let it rest there and 
not tempt Providence. I am indeed very profoundly 
grateful that with the exception of a very brief 
attack of illness lasting one night I escaped every 
whit whole. 

"Finally, the ever-present heat. I do not won- 
der that the people are indolent and apathetic. Day 
after day the same fierce burning sun beating 
down relentlessly, exhausting, depleting, devitaliz- 
ing. Night after night the same muggy, close, humid 
heat to swelter in. The white man fumes and frets 
over his tantalizing inability to get even half his work 
done by the natives half-way decently in double the 
proper time. The native's grandfather never hur- 
ried, his father never hurried, why then should he 
do what his ancestors had never done.^ 

"Apart from the famine, we practically saw noth- 
ing of India. Of those things usually considered 
sights worth seeing and of cities which every visitor 
must see, we saw nothing. But we saw what we 
went to see, and there was no mistaking the real 
object of our visit. Travehng twenty thousand 
miles just to ascertain the condition of a starving 
people on the other side of the world and to study 
how in the hour of their direst need we can prove 
most helpful to them, is not an every day occurrence 
and was not without its beneficent effect. It was a 
startling and impressive object lesson on the length 
to which a kind, sympathetic Christian people will 
go in order to give practical expression to noble 
and generous impulses. At the same time it helped 
to focus the attention of Moslem, Hindu, Parsee and 



r 



\ 



88 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Christian on the world wide charity of the American 
nation." 

The Christian Herald continued to receive contribu- 
tions for the relief of the starving so long as there 
was need of them. Slowly the clouds lifted. 
Brighter news came from India. The rains fell, 
the lands were brought under cultivation, and the 
next season there was a good harvest, sufficient 
almost to provide for the people. 

When the final account of the second India famine 
relief fund was rendered, in the spring of 1901, it 
showed that the income from all sources collected 
through the agency of The Christian Herald had 
amounted to $641,071.97. This sum represented 
258,508 separate contributions, and these in turn 
represented a much larger number of individuals, 
as sometimes twenty or thirty contributions were 
included in one letter. During 1900 the net re- 
ceipts directly through The Christian Herald exceeded 
$319,000. In the disbursements $290,000 was trans- 
mitted to the Interdenominational Committee at 
Bombay. When the actual famine relief work closed 
and orphan work began, the unexpended balance 
of $173,973.32 was transferred and applied to the 
support of over 5,000 famine orphans at some 60 
missionary stations throughout India. As in all 
the relief funds, the balance sheet was published 
by The Christian Herald, showing in detail the 
sources of receipts and what the expenditures had 
been to the very dollar. This was certified to by a 
public accountant. 



CHAPTER VI 

SOLVING THE INDIA ORPHAN PROBLEM 

HOW A PERMANENT FUND WAS ESTABLISHED — ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS — DR. 
KLOPSCH's ELOQUENT TRIBUTE TO THE MISSIONARIES — HIS STORY OF HIS 
AaSIT TO PUNDITA RAMABAl's SCHOOL — PLEDGES OF SUPPORT — FIRST RE- 
SULTS OF THE WORK — A CHARACTERISTIC LETTER — INDIa's CHILDREN HER 

HOPE — INDUSTRIAL TRAINING — AMBITIOUS BOYS CARE FOR THE GIRLS 

EVIDENCES OP APPRECIATION DR. DEVIN's REPORT — KING EDWARD 

CONFERS THE KAISER-I-HIND MEDAL ON DR. KLOPSCH. 

ONE ever present, poignant problem was pre- 
sented by the relief work during the two 
India famines. The food and money con- 
tributed, the medicines and clothing supplied, saved 
many thousands. But in spite of all that could be 
done many thousands also perished, and large num- 
bers of these were parents who left helpless offsprings. 
To save the children, to feed the orphans, was the 
thought that never left Dr. Klopsch. \^Tien a tem- 
porary respite was had from the famine of 1897-98, 
letters began to pour in from the missionaries show- 
ing the conditions and explaining the necessity of 
permanent provision for the orphans. The critical 
period, they explained, would continue for two or 
three years. Dr. Klopsch proceeded to solve the 
problem in his usual direct manner. He decided 
to establish an India Orphan Fimd. This purpose 
was made known in the following letter, which was 
sent to twenty-two missionaries in India: 



90 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

"Dear Friend: We have heard with much pleas- 
ure of the great and good work which you were doing 
among the famine orphans of India. The report of 
it is as ointment poured forth, fragrant and full of 
sweetness, and we are glad on behalf of the readers 
of The Christian Herald to take an additional share 
in this labor of love. Acting on the advice of Bishop 
J. M. Thoburn, and other missionaries, we have com- 
bined the belated contributions to the Indian famine 
relief fund received at this office and the $13,000 
recently received from several of the railroad com- 
panies of the United States who generously under- 
took to refund the whole or part of the freight 
monies paid to them for the transportation of grain 
donated last year for the relief of the starving people 
of India. And this combined fund we have now 
apportioned among those missionaries who have 
undertaken to shelter, care for and educate the thou- 
sands of homeless and helpless orphans who but 
for such assistance must have shared the terrible 
fate of their parents. We enclose a check for the 
first quarter in advance, and the same amount will 
be sent you regularly every three months during the 
next three years. 

''We heartily appreciate the Christ-like work you 
are doing in caring for these helpless waifs, and pray 
that God will bless your efforts in their behalf to 
their temporal and eternal welfare. 

Faithfully yours, 

Louis Klopsch." 

The Orphan Famine Fund was organized on a 
substantial business basis. Contributions were in- 
vited which were to be specifically set aside for the 
maintenance of orphans in India. The readers of 
The Christian Herald were asked to make an annual 
contribution which it was thought should be suffi- 



SOLVING THE INDIA ORPHAN PROBLEM 91 

cient to support one orphan. As little as $15.00 a 
year in many cases served for this purpose. The 
contributions were numerous when Dr. Klopsch's 
appeals were understood. In acknowledging the 
quarterly remittances sent, the missionaries who 
were supporting and educating the orphans gave 
encouraging reports of the progress of the little 
waifs. Cheering accounts were received from all 
sources. They showed that the work was on a 
practical basis. 

It was a providential dispensation that when the 
famine of 1900 came the means had already been 
taken for providing for the orphans. In that year 
the Rev. E. S. Hume, of the Interdenominational 
Missionary Committee, who was home on sick fur- 
lough, wrote: 

The labors of the missionaries have just begun. No one 
will ever know how many have died as the result of the famine, 
but the number will probably be reckoned by millions, and 
several hundred thousand children will probably have been 
orphaned. Of these the missionaries have rescued probably 
not less than twenty or twenty-five thousand. For these help- 
less but promising children not only the missionaries but the 
Christians at home, who have helped save them, are respon- 
sible. There is no more urgent and encouraging form of 
missionary work than the training of this great company of 
children. 

Many of the responses received to the appeal for 
orphan funds made through The Christian Herald 
came from children. Sometimes they combined 
their savings, often sending their penny collections. 
Contributions of this sort from the little ones always 
touched Dr. Klopsch deeply. 



92 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

The problem of the orphans was described in The 
Christian Herald as follows: "The missionaries are 
looking ahead. They see in imagination some morn- 
ing when there is not a cent in the treasury and there 
are a thousand eager faces looking for a breakfast. 
How would the missionary feel if he had nothing to 
give them.^ He would wish then that he had not 
undertaken the charge. Foreseeing such a contin- 
gency, he asks now how many children will the 
Christians of America authorize him to keep. It 
will cost $15.00 to $20.00 a year to support a child, 
and this sum will provide not only food and clothing 
but the cost of a Christian education. It is not 
much. Thirty cents a week more than covers it. 
How many men and women there are in this country 
who could spare the thirty cents a week easily! 
And how could they spend it in a way so delight- 
ful as that of obeying Christ's injunction, 'Feed my 
Iambs ! ' 

"And then think how far-reaching is this oppor- 
tunity of Christian service that is placed within our 
reach. When these children grow up and go forth 
into the village homes of India to be the fathers and 
mothers of the next generation they will not go in 
heathenism as did their parents; they will know 
the blessedness of the Christian faith, and will be 
able to tell their children of the compassion which 
saved their lives and of the love which saved their 
souls. It really seems as if out of this appalling 
calamity may come the seed of the evangelization 
of India." 

Dr. Klopsch in describing his visit to India in 



SOLVING THE INDIA ORPHAN PROBLEM 93 

1900 devoted one chapter of the account which he 
wrote of the trip to the school of Pundita Ramabai, 
near Poona, which had been aided after the famine 
of 1898. In describing the visit he took occasion to 
pay a fitting tribute to the self-sacrificing mis- 
sionaries and he entitled his article "The Christian 
Missionary in India." 

"The Christian missionary," wrote Dr. Klopsch, 
"is the bright and shining light that penetrates the 
gloom of India and inspires the heart with hope for 
the future. Wherever his abode may be, there the 
sick, the troubled and the hungry flock, and there 
they get comfort, help and food according to their 
necessities and the missionary's means. If a hundred 
thousand consecrated missionaries could be promptly 
sent to India, supplied with sufficient means, the three 
thousand souls who would constitute each mission- 
ary's parish would be brought into the marvelous 
light of the Gospel within a very few years. At the 
present time, there is but one missionary to every 
200,000 souls, a ratio which would give Greater New 
York only seventeen pastors; Chicago, six; Boston, 
two; and San Francisco, one. But the time will 
come when, through the efforts of the heroic band of 
self-denying men and women now laboring for Christ 
in that benighted land, India will raise her own home 
missionaries, and by the very children to which she 
herself gave birth, be led to accept Jesus of Nazareth 
as Saviour and King. And the present famine is 
paving the way — for the children left without father 
or mother, home or friends, will be gathered into 
Christian orphanages, educated by Christian teachers, 
surrounded by Christian influences, become Chris- 
tians themselves, and eventually go forth to tell the 
glad tidings of a free and a full salvation. 



94 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

"It was my good fortune, during my brief so- 
journ, to be thrown into closest contact with a num- 
ber of the godly men and women, who, full of faith, 
leaving the comforts of civilization behind them, 
answered the Divine call to uphold the standard of 
the Cross among an interesting but an exceedingly 
superstitious people, and who to-day, far away from 
their native land, are brightening and cheering 
countless lives and leading them out gradually, 
slowly but surely, step by step, into that blessed 
faith that shall yet bring peace to their troubled 
souls, and joy and happiness to their sad and now 
hopeless hearts. I congratulate myself on having 
for a while been permitted to mingle with them and 
to draw encouragement and inspiration from their 
presence and their lives. 

''Pundita E-amabai had been seriously ill and con- 
fined to her bed for over two weeks, when she received 
my telegram from Bombay, inquiring whether it 
would be convenient for her to have me spend a day 
at Khedgaon on my way to Ahmednagar. Without 
regard for her own physical comfort, she imme- 
diately responded, cordially welcoming me to India 
and promising to meet me at Poona on the arrival 
of the seven o'clock train any morning I might 
designate. That same evening we started. The 
next morning, at the appointed hour, we glided 
noiselessly into Poona Station. On the platform, 
dressed in spotless white, stood the Pundita. She 
looked very pale and feeble, but she greeted us 
cordially with a pleasant smile. In her hand she 
held a diminutive bouquet of sweet-smelling flowers, 
which she gracefully presented and I gratefully 
accepted. Flowers in India are always used on 
every joyous or festive occasion. The train halted 
only ten minutes. There was no time for exchange 
of protracted courtesies. 



SOLVING THE INDIA ORPHAN PROBLEM 95 

"At a little after nine we reached Khedgaon. A 
multitude of men and women and children had 
gathered at the station. They had heard that the 
Pundita had recovered and was coming. She was 
their benefactress. Many of them but for her help 
would not have been alive. They owed everything 
to her. So they gathered to welcome her. They 
flocked around her. They embraced her. The young 
folks kissed her. Tears of joy were in their eyes. 
The Pundita was affected. She could hardly restrain 
her emotion. She almost wept. She returned the 
embraces and she looked happy. The scene was a 
very touching one and this spontaneous manifesta- 
tion of gratitude very pathetic. It came from the 
heart, it went to the heart, and Ramabai found full 
compensation for a thousand cares and anxieties in 
that one welcome. 

"Space will not permit me here to repeat the story 
of the happy day I spent with her and the 700 bright- 
eyed, lovely girls and young women under her care, 
but it was a red letter event which I shall never 
forget. The magnitude and superior quality of the 
work were a veritable revelation to me, and I am 
happy to know that the generous readers of The 
Christian Herald have enabled me to lift many a 
burden from the shoulders of this Divinely-called 
and heaven-ordained disciple.'' 

The India orphan roll of honor was established by 
persons who undertook the support of one orphan. 
The pledge was given as follows: 

I will endeavor to support (time) (number) India famine 
orphans, and will remit quarterly at the rate of $15.00 a year 
to The Christian Herald India orphan work for such support. 
It is my understanding the care thus provided for will include 
food, clothing, shelter, and instruction by proper teachers. 



96 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

It is my wish that the orphan be a boy, girl, and located in an 
orphanage under the care of a missionary of (denomination). 

In September, 1900, The Christian Herald cabled 
$25,000 to India to support 5,000 children for four 
months. 

Dr. Klopsch in a letter dated July 25, 1900, pro- 
posed to endeavor to raise the support for 10,000 
orphan children, and to pledge the support of at 
least 5,000 for at least one year. The Interdenomi- 
national Missionary Committee, which met at Bom- 
bay in September, 1900, accepted his offer, which 
it declared was unprecedented in the history of 
Christian charity, and accepted the conditions under 
which the work was to be carried on. In making 
his appeal Dr. Klopsch put the question in his usual 
incisive way. "Have you adopted an India famine 
orphan.?" Then would follow an explanation of 
it as a work of Christian benevolence, and facts 
w^ould be given of the good that was being accom- 
plished. The full details of the plans for the orphan 
adoption would be set forth. 

One of the missionaries in India sent a photograph 
of three little native famine orphans returning thanks 
after their simple meal. The Hindu ''thanks hymn" 
translated was as follows: 

Love and thanks, O Lord, 

We little children give. 

That Thou our daily bread 

From a far country to us art sending. 

With the Holy Spirit all hearts fill; 

Grant a blessing upon all givers. 




i- -r ^^ 









GOVERNMENT FAMINE RELIEF WORKS, GUJERAT, INDL\ 




FAMINE ORPHANS AT NELLORE, INDU 



SOLVING THE INDIA ORPHAN PROBLEM 97 

Word continued to come in the following year 
from the missionaries of the results of the work. 
Dr. Harpster, the eminent minister at Gunter, wrote 
that he had taken special care that the stigma of 
charity should never attach to any of the famine 
orphans in his charge, and that other missionaries 
were doing likewise. They were treated on precisely 
the same footing as were the children of wealthy 
natives in the schools who were being educated at the 
expense of their parents. The orphans had the same 
food and the same attention as the other pupils. 
Miss Lillian Dietrich, who was in charge of the 
orphanage at Cawnpore, wrote that the 200 girls 
under her care were being trained to habits of industry 
and economy. Miss A. A. Brown, of the Kholapore 
mission, wrote: "It would do you good to see the 
bright happy faces of the waifs who have been saved 
from starvation by your readers. We have now over 
500 of these children under our care. Some of them 
are child widows, whose lot would have been especially 
sad if we had not sheltered them. The girls are 
learning sewing and domestic work, and the boys 
are being taught better methods of farming, mason 
and carpentry work. They are all wonderfully bright 
and willing to learn." 

Early in the spring of 1901 Dr. Klopsch announced 
that the suggestions of The Christian Herald for the 
support of the children orphaned in the India famine 
were taking definite shape. The response to the 
appeal had been so generous that he had sent a 
guarantee to the missionaries for the support of 5,000 
orphans, and had promised to send a remittance of 



98 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

$25,000 regularly at intervals of four months, making 
in all nine payments, $225,000, during three years. 
Such a guarantee was necessary, otherwise the mis- 
sionaries would not have felt justified in keeping 
under their roofs children for whose maintenance 
no one was responsible. 

In the selection the denominational preferences of 
the foster-parents of the children were respected. 
The selection was made by the Interdenominational 
Missionary Committee in India. A map was pub- 
lished in The Christian Herald showing the location 
of the orphanages and giving a classified list accord- 
ing to denominations of the group in each. The 
group included Baptist, Christian Alliance, Disci- 
ples, Lutheran, Congregational, Protestant Episco- 
pal, Methodist Episcopal, Wesleyan Methodist, and 
Presbyterian. In all there were thirty-eight famine 
orphan stations. 

Later a pamphlet was published on the India 
orphan work which gave the practical results as 
witnessed by the missionaries who were in charge. 
Dr. Klopsch prefaced this pamphlet by a personal 
letter, as he called it. The letter, which was thor- 
oughly characteristic of the man, was as follows : 

A PERSONAL LETTER FROM DR. KLOPSCH 

August 10, 1903. 
Dear Friend: 

The India Famine Orphan Work, in which you and I are 
jointly and deeply interested, is the most glorious and most 
promising missionary effort of the Twentieth Century. It is 
surely a divinely ordained work, destined to do more for the 
ingathering of India's three hundred millions than could possibly 
have been devised by mere human agency. 



SOLVING THE INDIA ORPHAN PROBLEMS 99 

These 5,400 native dusky boys and girls, reared under 
Christian influences, and trained for Christian helpfulness, 
outrank two to one in point of numbers, all the Christian 
missionaries now operating in India. When they take their 
places, as soon they must, among the mighty agencies for good 
among their own people, they will influence countless thousands 
whose ears would remain forever closed to foreign preaching 
of the Word. 

Let us unitedly bear the burden for another two years, and 
then, having sowed the seed the Lord put it in our hearts to 
sow, leave the rest to the God of the harvest, who will surely 
bring to glorious fruition the work we have constantly had in 
view. 

May the Lord graciously incline your heart to a continuance 
of this beneflcent work, and at last crown you for the share 
of the burden which, in His Name, you have so bravely borne. 
Numbers 6: 24, 25, 26. 



^ 



At the same time The Christian Herald published 
an article entitled, "India's Children Are Her Hope." 
This article stated that cheering and hopeful news 
continued to come from India of the results of the 
magnificent work being done there among the orphans. 
The missionaries were delighted with the opportunity- 
afforded them of caring for the children and educating 
them in the Christian faith; and the children were 
showing wonderful intelligence, and not only avail- 
ing themselves of the educational facilities placed 
within their reach, but were giving themselves to 
Christ with a true and sincere consecration. Many 
instances were given of the progress made by the 
children. The reports regarding the orphan girls 




100 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

were in particular encouraging. Miss S. S. Gardner, 
secretary of the India work of the Woman's Union 
Missionary Society, who visited the United States 
in 1903, reported excellent progress. Regarding the 
women she wrote: 

There are 140 millions of women in India who can neither 
read nor write, so they cannot be approached with the written 
word. Forty millions of these are shut up in the zenanas. 
Twenty-seven millions of them are widows, and the only way 
to reach them is through the agency of their own sex. The 
few foreign missionaries cannot of course touch the fringe of 
this great mass of women; it can only be through their own 
Christian sisters, and India's Christian women must be trained 
and educated to meet this great responsibility. 

The work of the women, since it does not include public 
preaching, is necessarily more in the line of teaching, and is 
largely made up of Bible teaching in the zenanas and in Hindu 
and Mohammedan day schools. In villages where they can 
gather large numbers of women together it is more nearly 
allied to preaching, — is purely evangelistic. They do much 
of the work in Christian boarding and day schools as teachers, 
matrons and general supervisors. We wish to train the children 
not only for teachers but for leaders. We must bring to the 
front those who will be able to take places of responsibility, 
and be able to organize and to carry out schemes for service 
among their fellow countrywomen. The writer has under her 
charge two schools, one for primary and one for the higher 
education of the Christian girls and women, and there have 
been notable results from both. Twelve hundred Hindu 
girls gathered in day schools in every part of the city of Cal- 
cutta are nearly all taught by teachers educated or trained in 
one or the other of these schools. The teachers in the schools 
thus are old pupils. 

Industrial training formed an important work of 
the orphanages. An item of news a couple of years 



SOLVING THE INDIA ORPHAN PROBLEM 101 

later by Mrs. Aldrich, who with her husband, the 
Rev. Floyd Aldrich, had charge of the Methodist 
Episcopal mission at Narsinghpur, was the announce- 
ment of the marriage of seven young men who had 
been trained and educated at the mission. Two of 
them were expert shoemakers, one was a carpenter, 
and another an overseer. 

The Rev. H. Huizinga wrote especially of the 
earnest desire on the part of the boys to learn trades. 
There was a time when boys regarded mechanical 
work as degrading. However, they were realizing 
that a boy who knew how to make something or do 
something was more independent than he who knew 
nothing but the tilling of the land. When Mr. 
Huizinga announced that he could take a few more 
boys in the industrial department nearly thirty 
offered themselves, and he already had fifty-two at 
work. The practical spirit of the boys was shown 
by the fact that the majority of them wanted to 
learn to be shoemakers. 

Miss Greene, at Phalera, gave an equally encourag- 
ing report of the girls. They were turning out beauti- 
ful laces and embroidery, which commanded a ready 
sale, and were weaving cloth and blankets. Miss 
Anderson, of Pasrur, gave similar testimony. She 
wrote that girls who were utterly ignorant of the 
commonest duties could sew, spin, and do other 
kinds of work besides keeping their houses orderly 
and neat. Miss Anderson added, "I have engaged in 
the course of my life in many kinds of mission work, 
but I have never done anything for the Master that 
I have enjoyed so much, nor anything that has been 



102 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

SO fruitful of results, as this work among the famine 
children." 

This was the testimony also of other mission- 
aries. They on their side faithfully fulfilled their 
promises and patiently and tirelessly devoted them- 
selves to the training and teaching of the famine 
waifs. Dr. Klopsch made these and similar encour- 
aging reports the basis for extending the work of 
supporting orphans somewhat beyond the period 
which was originally contemplated. The sup- 
port which was originally pledged for one year, and 
then for three years, was extended to seven years, 
the understanding being that as the children grew 
up and became self-supporting, or married, or died, 
the demand on the fund should gradually diminish. 
At the maximum of the movement there were fifty- 
five hundred orphans under support. In all, over 
$557,000 was sent to India for famine orphan sup- 
port. At the time of Dr. Klopsch's death there 
were on the lists about four hundred India orphans, 
the annual allowance for whom was remitted at reg- 
ular periods to the mission committee at Bombay. 

Tributes to the orphan work came year after year 
from the missionaries and from officials of the Indian 
Government as well as from numerous travelers. 

The Irish Presbyterian India Mission, which was 
included in the sphere of Dr. Klopsch's orphanage 
work, adopted a special resolution placing on record 
its deep sense of the obligation to their warm-hearted 
and noble friends in America, and submitted to them 
through Dr. Klopsch and The Christian Herald the 
expression of their sincere and heartfelt thanks. 



SOLVING THE INDIA ORPHAN PROBLEM 103 

"The love that has prompted the generous help 
accorded since the great famine," said the resolution, 
"serves as a link to bind in the bonds of Christian 
fellowship the three countries of America, India, and 
Ireland, and in thus overstepping all international 
distinctions it reflects the love divine." 

The Rev. John Bancroft Devins, in his trip around 
the world in 1904, visited the orphanages wholly 
or partly supported by The Christian Herald Inter- 
denominational Committee. He wrote very full 
descriptions of what he saw, and his accounts gave 
much satisfaction to the Christian people of the 
United States who were contributing to the support 
of the orphanages. The work was thus summed up 
by Dr. Devins: 

The feature of The Christian Herald's many actions which 
has impressed itself most deeply upon the minds of all classes 
in India, English officials, Christian missionaries, Indian gentle- 
men, and the orphans themselves, is this — life has been saved 
and then maintained. Sentiment may be enlisted in saving 
lives, but principle is needed to enable the work to be effective. 
The conclusion which I have reached after nearly three months 
in India, in which time thousands of Christian Herald orphans 
were visited and reports received from many hundreds of those 
whom I could not visit, is: 

Five thousand children have been saved from suffering and 
starvation; they are being maintained at slight expense, with 
sanitary surroundings, and they are being trained under influ- 
ences which will inevitably lead most of them into Christian 
life and character; further a bond of sympathy, humane and 
divine, has been formed between patron and beneficiary, as 
helpful to the former as to the latter. 

When Dr. Devins was having an audience in the 
Government House in Calcutta, the private secretary 



104 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

to Lord Curzon, the Viceroy, remarked as he read 
a letter of introduction from Dr. Klopsch: 

'*Well, you know what we think of Dr. Klopsch 
and The Christian Herald's work for the famine 
orphans of India. The Kaiser-i-Hind medal just 
sent to him is the best evidence of our appreciation 
that we can give." 

This was true. In the various orders conferred 
by King Edward to mark the New Year of 1904, 
and to recognize distinguished services, the Kaiser- 
i-Hind medal of the first-class was conferred upon 
Dr. Klopsch in recognition of the work he had done 
in behalf of the famine sufferers of India. This was 
the official statement. It was a fitting acknowledg- 
ment of his work, and was appreciated not only 
by Dr. Klopsch, but by the many thousands who 
through his instrumentality had been enabled to ex- 
tend the helping hand to India's suffering people, 
and who felt that in the recognition extended him 
they, too, were recognized. 



CHAPTER VII 

SUCCOR FOR STRICKEN CUBA 

STRUGGLES TO FREE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLAND — GOMEZ AND MACEO — 
BURNING CANE FIELDS — WETLEr's RECONCENTRATION ORDER — AN EYE- 
WITNESS* ACCOUNT OF THE MISERY — WAR's DESOLATION — VISITS TO THE 
PRISON CAMPS — SENTIMENT IN THE UNITED STATES — PRESIDENT MCKIN- 
LEY's CHRISTMAS APPEAL — DR. KLOPSCH ON THE RELIEF COMMITTEE — HIS 
TRIP TO HAVANA — AN EXAMPLE OF HIS METHODS — SILENT SUFFERERS — 
GEN. FITZHUGH LEE — THE PRESIDENT'S APPRECIATION. 

WHEN Columbus in his voyages of discovery 
first saw the shores of Cuba, he called it 
the most beautiful island that the eyes of 
man ever beheld. Such is Cuba as nature made it, 
a tropical paradise. But for centuries Cuba was 
the victim of misgovernment. Its people though 
bound by many ties of common blood to Spain were 
in almost constant revolt, either open or concealed, 
against the misrule of the mother country. 

Free Cuba was the aspiration of nearly all native- 
born Cubans, whether they were of Spanish parent- 
age or of African blood. A struggle was waged from 
1868 to 1878, known as the "Ten Years War," 
whose avowed purpose was independence. Spain 
after finally quelling this insurrection made efforts 
to provide better government which would satisfy 
the Cubans, but these efforts were not successful. 

In 1895 there was another uprising headed by the 
poet Marti. At first it was thought that this was 

105 



106 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

confined only to the eastern part of the island, but 
within a year it had spread from one end to the other, 
that is from Santiago in the east to Pinar del Rio in 
the west. It had at its head two men of genuine 
military ability and leadership, who had been con- 
cerned in the ''Ten Years War." They were Maximo 
Gomez, who was of Spanish blood, and Antonio 
Maceo, who was of the negro race, which comprises 
about one-third the entire population. 

Both Gomez and Maceo knew that by war under 
ordinary conditions, Spain in the end would be the 
victor, for she had an army which was constantly 
recruited and had the means of regular military 
operations. The insurgents could and did organize 
an army of a certain kind, but in any circumstances 
it could never be made a fully organized military 
body. So guerrilla warfare was the natural mode 
of making what proved to be the final, and through 
the intervention of the United States, the successful 
struggle for independence. 

Destruction of property was the chief means which 
Gomez and Maceo invoked. They proposed to make 
Cuba worthless to Spain. The central and eastern 
sections of the island are composed of vast sugar 
plantations. The western end is made up largely 
of tobacco farms. By destroying the plantations, 
many of which were owned by Spaniards, and some 
by Americans, Gomez and Maceo intended to prove 
that the only hope for the future was in Spain giving 
up her dominion. After a year or two one of the 
most common sights in the island was to see the red 
flames sweeping over the cane fields like a prairie fire. 



SUCCOR FOR STRICKEN CUBA 107 

So long as Spain claimed sovereignty, it was her 
duty to protect the property of her own subjects 
and of foreigners. The army, which was thrown into 
Cuba from time to time, was supposed to be employed 
as much for this purpose as in military operations 
against the insurgents, but after a while it was dis- 
covered that the troops themselves often engaged in 
the destruction of plantations, particularly if these 
were owned by Cubans who sympathized with the 
insurrection. It was not an unusual thing for the 
insurgents to be burning the cane fields on one side 
of a plantation, while the troops were setting fire to 
the other side. 

Before the insurrection had progressed very far, 
Spain sent out General Valeriano Weyler as Captain- 
General. The Captain-General in Cuba was both 
the military commander and the head of civil 
administration. General Weyler took vigorous steps 
which he claimed were justifiable to end the insur- 
rection. 

It was apparent that the country people of Cuba, 
who were laborers on the sugar plantations, and who 
often had their own little farms, were for the most 
part in sympathy with the insurrection. They were 
not, however, filled with the military spirit, and from 
their quiet nature were usually described as pacificos. 
The majority of them were non-combatants. 

General Weyler held that whether actually en- 
gaged in the insurrection or not, by their presence 
in the country they afforded aid to the insurgents. 
Therefore he issued an order, known as the "recon- 
centration order," bringing them into the towns and 



108 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

cities in what were military camps. As a military 
measure probably this order would not be ques- 
tioned by military commanders anywhere engaged 
in war. But its effect, by herding the pacificos in 
camps, and really under guard, was to make them 
military prisoners. Everywhere that civilization 
prevails it is recognized that prisoners of war are 
entitled to be fed and clothed. This was what 
General Weyler did not do, either from indifference 
or through inability. The towns and cities were 
filled with these country people, who became known 
as the reconcentrados. They had no means of sub- 
sistence except such as was doled out to them by 
charity or by the local authorities. 

In time this concentration, and the general destruc- 
tion throughout the island, began to tell fearfully 
on the people. Hunger and fever took them off by 
the thousands. Indignation was felt in the United 
States at these conditions, yet not much was known 
about the actual facts. It was claimed that the 
accounts of suffering were very much exaggerated, 
and that the people as a whole were as well off as the 
people of any country in which war raged. At this 
time I went to Cuba in connection with my profes- 
sion, as a newspaper correspondent. The impression 
made on me was described in letters to American 
newspapers. Some extracts will show the real con- 
ditions. A letter from Union in the Province of 
Matanzas among other things gave this description 
of rural Cuba: 

Miseria is the disease that afflicts rural Cuba. The physi- 
cians who attend the dying reconcentrados in the towns coined 



SUCCOR FOR STRICKEN CUBA 109 

the term. They had no word comprehensive enough to describe 
the loss of hves from hunger, exposure and lack of care; so they 
called it miseria. A majority of the burial certificates now 
give this as the cause of death. Miseria is simply misery. It 
is misery that has depopulated the concentration settlements, 
and it is misery that throws a shadow over the country districts. 
The country, like its people, is dying from lack of nourishment. 

Union, in the old times, was one of the most attractive of 
Cuban villages. It might still be called attractive if there were 
inhabitants enough in it to give an appearance of life. The 
town has suffered destruction. It is desolate, but the desola- 
tion is not that of ruin. The buildings are not blackened walls 
or grass-grown ash heaps, as in other places. Nothing ails the 
place but lonesomeness. And it is not as bad here as elsewhere, 
for the fine sugar plantation Conchita, close by, has some 
cane fields which are not charred, and the mill is able to do a 
little grinding. The streets are clean, many of the cottages 
are pretty, and look as though the occupants were once pros- 
perous. Even the reconcentrados are housed with something 
like comfort in a row of huts along the railroad track. They 
are few in numbers. To-day they hug their hearthstones 
closely if a bit of burning charcoal can be called a hearthstone. 
The children who come out to beg shiver in their rags, for a cold 
wind from the north has brought with it a sleety rain, and they 
are poorly fitted to stand such exposure. Old clothes would 
not go amiss here. But the reconcentrados in Union are not 
exhibiting their misery, and they remain in their huts. I 
noticed, as in concentration settlements, that the survivors 
are mostly blacks. They have withstood the policy of extermi- 
nation better than the whites. 

Union is like other towns. It had resources enough to live 
off itself for awhile. Those resources are nearing exhaustion. 
The country from which it should draw support has nothing 
to yield. On one side, toward Havana, are the burned cane 
lands. In the other direction, toward Matanzas and Cien- 
fuegoes, barren fields, with neither cattle nor men, only the 
tall palm trees to break the solitude. of nature. Coming in 



110 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

from the latter direction I have been impressed for the hun- 
dredth time with the absence of even the signs of hfe. The 
buzzards have almost ceased to circle over the fields. Nothing 
is left for them. Had a few hundred of the reconcentrados 
been put back in the field, allowed to rebuild their bohios or 
palm huts, been given seed and encouraged to exert what 
strength remained to them in cultivating the land, the aspect 
of the country would have been different. This was not done, 
and it is useless to speculate on what might have been the bene- 
ficial result on the economic conditions of the island. This 
phase of the subject has now to be studied with reference to the 
town communities. They are reaching the point where the 
sterilization of the country around them is having its natural 
effect. I have taken Union as an illustration because the con- 
ditions could be shown with less exhibition of visible and harass- 
ing distress than in most of the other towns visited. 

Another letter told of the devastation of the beau- 
tiful country around Havana: 

The country around Havana bears silent witness to the 
existence of war. Leaving the railroad station at Marianao 
a carriage was taken and the road followed, which gave a fine 
view of the handsome villas of wealthy citizens of Havana. 
Only a few minutes were required to reach the edge of the village. 
A couple of pickets were stationed there. Paseo ? one of them 
asked. Yes, the American gentlemen were going for a pleasure 
drive, and they were allowed to pass without a military permit. 
Further on another picket insisted on having an umbrella 
handed out for his inspection. He was suspicious that it might 
be munitions of war. 

Every phase of ruin was seen along that road, from the 
blackened ashes that yet smoldered to the roofless walls of once 
stately homes. Glancing down the avenues of royal palms and 
in the groves of mangoes and Indian laurels, we would see these 
ruined houses. In some the work of destruction was only 
half done. The doors and windows would be gaping wide open, 
without a sign of life about the places. Commonly, though, 



SUCCOR FOR STRICKEN CUBA 111 

the houses would be unroofed, and the pillars and columns 
would be a crumbled mass. Sometimes a single wall would be 
standing. The palm-thatched huts along the wayside had 
been spared, and this made the route contrast with the desola- 
tion back from the highway, among the palms and mangoes, 
more striking. On some of the estates the trees and hedges 
had been cut. 

A description of the prison camps in which the 
reconcentrados were herded was given in a letter 
from Matanzas: 

We had the first sight of an extensive camp of pacificos at 
Campo Florido, which is an hour*s distance from Havana. 
Hundreds of palm huts were spread out on either side of the 
railroad tracks. A barbed wire fence, eight feet high, was 
stretched along the outskirts of the settlement. Just outside 
the fence ran a deep ditch. On the knolls and hills were the 
fortilinoSy or little forts, garrisoned and with sentinels on the 
lookout. Soldiers patrolled everywhere. Looking down among 
the huts, then at the barbed wire fence, the ditch, the soldiers 
occupying the commanding positions, it was no longer a mystery 
why the pacificos in the desperation of hunger did not break 
out into the open country. They would never get through that 
fence and across the ditch beyond the range of the guns. Those 
at Campo Florido were wandering aimlessly around within their 
pen like caged animals on exhibition. 

At Juraco and other stations further glimpses were had of 
the pacificos. Smallpox has been very bad here, and no one 
cared to leave the train for a closer sight. The people were not 
the only things to be seen. I write of them as things, because 
under the present military policy they are not considered human 
beings. The other objects which excited attention along the 
route were the evidences of ruin — cane fields burned over, 
bare walls and chimneys of ingenios or sugar mills, heaps of 
ashes and blackened mortar, the absence of all signs of life 
except close to the stations and forts. Everywhere could be 



112 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

seen what seemed to be great bamboo bird cages. These were 
the houses of the people who tilled the soil. These houses had 
not been burned. Instead they were unroofed, the weather 
boarding, if it might be called that, taken off and the poles and 
rafters left. If peace ever comes they may be thatched with 
palm and again be habitable. But now they must shelter no one. 

Matanzas is reached at last. We may not stop now to look 
out across the bay which has made it celebrated. There will 
be time enough later to hear of the lost trade and dead com- 
merce of this Liverpool of the Antilles. We can easily under- 
stand that a splendid harbor cannot be filled with ships when 
the sugar they once carried away was this year only acres and 
acres of charred cane. But at present our course lays away 
from the harbor, through the narrow streets to Cascoro Hill. 
That is where most of the pacificos are located. It has been 
their home for months, and will be for those of them that sur- 
vive for months to come. It is said to be the best settlement 
on the place for natural sanitary conditions, and also for sup- 
plies. Smallpox ran its course months ago, and having 
exhausted itself, is no longer to be feared. Some thousand of 
the pacificos have been sent into the country villages, which is 
worse for them, but better for those who remain. That is, 
they have a large town — Matanzas once had a population of 
50,000 — in which to beg food, and there are fewer of them to 
be fed. 

Hundreds of palm huts are on Cascoro Hill. They are built 
without order or regulation. All are alike inside. The gravel 
and dirt make the floor. Boards stretched along the sides 
serve for tables and for beds. A few have chairs, others simply 
rough benches. The household effects are usually a few old 
clothes in the corner. Two or three tin pans are the cooking 
utensils, which are seldom needed, because there is nothing to 
cook. The bedding is an old blanket or sheet spread over the 
boards. Sometimes a rude makeshift of a litter serves for a 
bed. Some of the huts have rough partitions, but many of 
them are single rooms. All show in their interior furnishings 
what would be called in the states abject poverty. 




DR. AND MRS. KLOPSCH AT THE GRAVE OF THE MAINE 
VICTIMS, HAVANA 




RELIEF WORK AMONG THE CUBAN RECONCENTRADOS 



SUCCOR FOR STRICKEN CUBA 113 

A pause at the doorway of one of the huts was met with an 
invitation to come in. There was not room for all the visitors, 
but some crowded past the threshold. A young woman was 
rocking with a babe of six or seven months on her lap. She was 
intelligent and answered questions promptly. A boy, two or 
three years old, clad in nature's garb, stole up to her side. A 
girl of fifteen or sixteen drew a faded shawl across her shoulders, 
and, her modesty shielded, looked at the strangers. Through 
the opening of a partition we could see an aged woman raise 
herself from the litter on which she lay and peer out curiously. 
A man of thirty-five or forty sat on a stool and listened to what 
was asked. All he wanted, he said, was a chance to work in 
the fields and get something to eat. 

The first question always asked of the pactficos was, *'Have 
you had anything to eat to-day?" Sometimes they would say, 
*' Un poco" — a little, but oftener the answer was, ''Naday nada, 
nada** — nothing, nothing, nothing. 

And when asked about their houses in the country the 
invariable answer was: '^Los soldados la quemaron'' — the 
soldiers burned it. 

Yet there were a few spots which escaped the 
ravages of war and were free from reconcentration 
camps. They were typical of the beauty of peaceful 
Cuba. One of these oases in the general desolation 
was thus described: 

We had heard of the ingenio of Toledo. It is one of the sugar 
mills that has escaped destruction by either insurgents or 
Spanish troops. Looking across the miniature valleys and the 
verdured slopes of the hills, Toledo stood out to om* view a 
picture of prosperity. Green cane fields formed a foreground 
for it, while groves of royal palms were grouped in the back- 
ground. In the hollows were the salvaSy or spreading elms, 
as these trees would be called in the states. There were also 
the mangoes, their branches drooping under the burden of the 
ripening fruit. More than all these was the sight of Ufe, men 



114 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

at work in the fields, oxen ploughing, and cattle grazing, all 
reminders of what Cuba was before war made it a desert. 



The movement in the United States for interven- 
tion in Cuba became very strong when the suflfering 
there and the measures of General Weyler were 
fully known. Every effort was made by President 
McKinley's administration to have Spain ameliorate 
the situation and thus avoid American intervention. 
Spain heeded the suggestions and a complete change 
in her Cuban policy was made. General Weyler 
was recalled, and General Blanco, an able soldier 
and a most patriotic Spaniard, who had previously 
been in Cuba, was made Captain-General. The 
demand of the insurgents for independence was met 
by the offer of a compromise, which was known as 
autonomy, or home-rule. Spain endeavored in good 
faith to put this system into operation, but the 
time had passed when it could prevail. Spain also 
sought to relieve the distress caused by the recon- 
centration policy. 

It was soon evident that with the best intentions, 
and with a sincere purpose to ameliorate the condi- 
tion of the population, Spain was unable to do it. 
The suffering at the door of the United States was 
too great to be longer allowed to continue with- 
out succor. President McKinley, in the Christmas 
season of 1897, therefore issued an appeal to the 
American people for money and supplies to be used 
in behalf of the starving Cubans. The responses 
to this appeal were swift and generous. The Chris- 
tian Herald, through Dr. Klopsch, telegraphed to 



SUCCOR FOR STRICKEN CUBA 115 

the Secretary of State, John Sherman, tendering the 
cooperation of the paper in any relief work to be 
undertaken, and at the same time contributing a 
thousand dollars to aid the relief at the outset. A 
day or two later the managers of the Red Cross 
Society in Washington held a conference with the 
State Department officials, and immediately there- 
after Assistant Secretary Adee, in behalf of the Gov- 
ernment, proposed the appointment of a Central 
or Executive Committee of Relief, to consist of 
three gentlemen, under whose direction the move- 
ment should be conducted throughout the whole 
country. 

President McKinley indicated his desire that Dr. 
Klopsch should be a member of this committee. It 
was constituted with Stephen E. Barton, of the 
American Red Cross, as Chairman; Charles A. 
Schieren, of the New York Chamber of Commerce, 
as Secretary and Treasurer; and Dr. Klopsch. This 
committee held its first session in the Bible House, 
New York, on January 3, 1898, and organized for 
practical service. It was determined to invite the 
cooperation of the various Chambers of Commerce 
and Boards of Trade throughout the country and to 
take all necessary steps to enlist the sympathies of 
the entire nation. 

The vigorous measures that were initiated under 
Dr. Klopsch's leadership at once brought results. 
Contributions came pouring in to the relief fund. 
Supplies were obtained, and the aid to the sick and 
dying of Cuba was immediate. Dwight L. Moody 
sent a stirring message and the great army of Chris- 



116 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

tian Herald readers began swelling the list of con- 
tributions. 

The Government of the United States designated 
the Fern, one of the naval vessels, to carry the cargo 
of food, and other supplies were sent by the regular 
vessels. General Fitzhugh Lee, the American Con- 
sul-General, who had been unremitting in his efforts 
to make the American people understand the extent 
of the suffering, sent appreciative words and gave 
further information of the distribution of the relief 
and of the pressing needs. 

When the relief movement was at its height, came 
the destruction of the United States Cruiser Maine 
in the Havana Harbor. While it was felt that this 
event was sure to lead to war, those who were engaged 
in the relief work did not think that they should for 
that reason pause. Dr. Klopsch decided to go to 
Havana to see for himself the situation. He arrived 
in March and at once sent a cablegram giving the 
conditions as he found them, and showing what was 
necessary. He was accompanied by Mrs. Klopsch. 
They saw sights right in Havana that touched them 
as human hearts are rarely touched. 

It was during this visit that I first met Dr. Klopsch. 
I had been in Cuba for a year or more and was pretty 
well acquainted with the conditions in all parts of 
the island. The evening of his arrival, Mr. E. R. 
Johnstone, the correspondent of the Associated 
Press, introduced me to him at the Inglaterra Hotel. 
He at once began asking incisive questions. I was 
somewhat out of patience with red-tape methods of 
relief, which I thought were too much in evidence. 




STARVING CUBANS BEGGING FOOD OF A U. S. WARSHIP 
IN HAVANA HARBOR 




CONVALESCENT SOLDIERS AT THE CHILDREN'S HOME 
MONT-LAWN 



SUCCOR FOR STRICKEN CUBA 117 

I told Dr. Klopsch that at Matanzas, fifty-five miles 
away, a little ready money at that time would be 
worth more than thousands of dollars later. I also 
gave him a description of the conditions at the 
town of Sagua-la-Grande, two hundred miles in the 
interior. 

He asked me if I knew proper persons at those 
points who could be entrusted with a small sum. 
I replied that Mr. Brice, the Consul at Matanzas, 
and Captain Barker, the Consul at Sagua-la-Grande, 
would be the proper persons. Then Dr. Klopsch 
quietly asked how soon a check could be got to them. 
I explained that the train which left Havana at six 
o'clock the following morning reached Matanzas in 
two hours and arrived at Sagua between five and 
six in the evening. Then he inquired if I could find 
a trustworthy messenger. That was easily done. 
In response to further inquiries I mentioned a thou- 
sand dollars for each place as a sum which would do 
vast good, but said that a little more might be 
necessary at Sagua. Dr. Klopsch thereupon wrote 
a check for one thousand dollars for the Consul at 
Matanzas, and for two thousand dollars for the 
Consul at Sagua. 

At ten o'clock the next morning came a telegram 
from the Consul at Matanzas sending thanks for 
the check. At seven the same evening came a tele- 
gram from the Consul at Sagua expressing his thanks. 
Later reports from them by mail showed how 
greatly the timely assistance had been to them in 
their relief work. 

This incident gave me an insight into Dr. Klopsch's 



118 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

methods. All he ever wanted was to know that the 
funds which were collected by him for charitable 
purposes were going into the right hands and would 
be used promptly. Once that was known he never 
hesitated to act. 

Dr. Klopsch was in frequent conference with Gen- 
eral Fitzhugh Lee and other Americans in Havana 
and also with some of the Spanish ofBcials, who were 
cooperating in the relief work. No feature of the 
suffering seemed to escape him. One day I told 
him of "the silent sufferers." These were people 
who either had been rich or in moderate circum- 
stances, but who, on account of the insurrection, 
had had all their means cut off. They had pledged 
and pawned about everything for which a dollar 
could be obtained. Their situation in life was such 
that a public confession of their poverty was impos- 
sible, yet they, like the starving reconcentrados, 
were in need of aid, and many of them were almost 
on the verge of starvation. The majority of these 
silent suflFerers were Cuban families, but there were 
some Spaniards. Some bore names well known in 
Cuban history. 

Dr. Klopsch inquired as to how they could be 
succored without wounding their sensibilities. I ex- 
plained that a list had already been prepared, and 
that none of them would refuse relief if it came from 
the hands of those who understood the situation. 
Thereupon Dr. Klopsch wrote a check for a liberal 
amount which was placed in one of the Havana 
banks. A relief committee was formed, of which 
General Fitzhugh Lee, Mr. E. R. Johnstone, and 



SUCCOR FOR STRICKEN CUBA 119 

myself were members. A small weekly allowance was 
made to the people on the list. Refugees in Florida 
and in New York were also aided. This was con- 
tinued until the war actually broke out, and at its 
close, when there was still much suffering, the 
balance which remained was distributed among the 
most needy cases. Every dollar distributed in this 
manner was receipted for, and one day in New 
York when I showed Dr. Klopsch the names signed 
to some of the receipts, he expressed his great satis- 
faction that persons of such prominence had been 
willing to accept the aid in the spirit in which it 
was given. 

The orphans, of course, were among the objects of 
his solicitude. General Fitzhugh Lee was specially 
concerned about them. The relief contributions 
therefore made provision for aiding several orphan- 
ages and this support was continued after the close 
of the war and the establishment of the American 
military authority. 

Dr. Klopsch remained in Cuba long enough to 
understand thoroughly the situation. He saw many 
of the consuls and received from them personal 
confirmation of the good purpose to which the 
relief funds and supplies were put. He also learned 
from them much of the political situation, and 
received many evidences of the gratitude of the 
people of the stricken island. 

In April Dr. Klopsch returned to the United States. 
He went to Washington and reported to Second 
Assistant Secretary of State Adee and to Judge 
Day, the Assistant Secretary. Then he was sum- 



120 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

moned to the White House and introduced by- 
President McKinley to the members of the Cabinet 
and several United States Senators who were there. 
He gave the President a very full report of the con- 
ditions and of the necessity for continuing the 
succor of the reconcentrados up to the last moment. 
President McKinley expressed his appreciation of 
the work Dr. Klopsch had done and thereafter gave 
him many evidences of confidence. 

When Dr. Klopsch returned to the United States 
it was clear that war with Spain was inevitable. 
On his suggestion, however, the shipments of sup- 
plies were continued up to the very last moment 
until the Cuban ports were closed and all transpor- 
tation stopped. 

Then came the actual war, the American military 
occupation, and the establishment of the Cuban 
Republic. In all the events from 1897 to the raising 
of the flag of Free Cuba, there is no brighter page 
than the record of Dr. Klopsch in relieving the 
starving reconcentrados and alleviating the wide- 
spread distress of Cubans of all classes. 



CHAPTER VIII 

FINLAND AND SWEDEN 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FAR NORTH THE CROPS FAMINE FROM FLOOD AND 

FROST IN 1902-03 PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT CONTRIBUTES TO THE "CHRIS- 
TIAN herald" relief fund DR. KLOPSCH's MIDWINTER MISSION 

POETRY OF THE PEOPLE TRAVELING ON 8NOWSHOES AND SLEDGES 

INCIDENTS DESCRIBED BY DR. KLOPSCH — WELCOME BY SONG AND FLOWERS 

FAMILY LIFE — REVERENT CUSTOMS — SUCCORING THE DISTRESSED 

PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS — FAREWELL RECEPTION AID FOR SWEDEN AND 

NORWAY — RECEIVED BY THE KING AND QUEEN AT STOCKHOLM AUDIENCE 

WITH THE DANISH ROYAL FAMILY AT COPENHAGEN — NORWEGIAN APPRECIA- 
TION — ADDRESS FROM FINLANDERS IN THE UNITED STATES. 

FAMINE gripped the far frozen north of Europe 
in the winter of 1902-03. Both Finland and 
Sweden and a smaller section of Norway were 
affected. 

There is no more interesting country in the world 
than Finland, bordering on the Baltic Sea and lying 
under the Arctic Circle. It covers an area equal to 
that of New England, New York, and Pennsylvania 
combined, and has a population of 2,500,000, in- 
cluding the Laplanders. The country is noted for 
the rocky islets on the coast and for the network of 
lakes, which are also dotted with islands. Much 
of the surface is of highlands, and also of marshes, 
while there are magnificent forests. It follows that 
farming, fishing, and forestry form the principal occu- 
pations of the large majority of the inhabitants. 

The rigorous climate of Finland has produced a 
most vigorous people. The Finnish civilization is 

121 



122 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

a highly developed one, and the country's part in 
history has been that of a sturdy race. It by some 
may be considered evidence of progress that Fin- 
land is the first country in the world to permit 
women to sit in the parliament or legislative body 
and to provide for woman suffrage. 

The cereal crops, rye, oats, and barley are the chief 
dependence of the inhabitants of Finland for sup- 
port. A little wheat is raised in the southwest part 
and there is some corn. This is planted and matures 
in the period of seven weeks in the very short and 
hot summer. The chief crop is barley, which is raised 
as far north as 69° north latitude on the shores of 
Lake Inari. 

Frost and flood are the worst enemies to the 
Finnish farmers. Both are destructive to the crops, 
on which they must depend. Sometimes also the 
fisheries are a failure. All these unfortunate cir- 
cumstances combined in the winter of 1902-03 
to bring distress to large sections of the country. 
At Christmas time, when the rest of the world was 
rejoicing in plenty, 400,000 of the Finnish peasants 
and farmers were suffering for food. Icy blasts 
that meant death to the unprotected swept down 
from the Arctic. Farms, forests, valleys, and riv- 
ers, all alike were sheeted in snow and ice and 
there was not food for the people. 

Finland is divided into eight provinces or gov- 
ernments, the most northerly of which, that of Ulea- 
borg, comprises half the country, and it was in this 
large territory and in a lesser degree in the provinces 
immediately to the south of it, Vasa to the west with 



FINLAND AND SWEDEN 123 

a long coast-line on the Gulf of Bothnia, and Kuopio 
to the east bordering on Russia, that the ravages 
of the famine were mainly felt. Uleaborg was the 
worst sufferer, lacking as it did railway facilities to 
provide the means of distribution. 

Dr. Klopsch soon knew of the suffering. A Fin- 
land Relief Committee in New York sought his 
cooperation. Count Andre Bobrinskoy, who had 
appreciated The Christian Herald's relief work for 
the Russian people in the famine of 1892, wrote to 
him from St. Petersburg that the distress was acute 
and wide-spread and that w^ant was almost uni- 
versal, the failure of the harvest having been more 
complete than that of 1867. Confirmatory infor- 
mation came from officials at Helsingfors and at 
Uleaborg. 

There were 300,000 Finns in the United States, 
immigrants who had left their native land within 
a period of a few years. Most of them were quite 
poor, but they were industrious and were making 
good American citizens. They were sending the 
bulk of their scanty savings home to the still poorer 
ones in Finland. 

"America can help," said Dr. Klopsch, and at 
once he proceeded to put the machinery of help in 
operation. Subscriptions were started by The Chris- 
tian Herald and a remittance of $5,000 was cabled 
to the Finnish committee at Helsingfors. This was 
shortly followed by a second cable remittance. Presi- 
dent Roosevelt was one of the first to subscribe 
to the Finnish fund. In a letter to Dr. Klopsch, 
Secretary George B. Cortelyou expressed the Presi- 



124 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

dent's gratification at having the opportunity of con- 
tributing to the reHef of the suffering, and enclosed 
the President's contribution to The Christian Herald 
Famine Fund, a check for $100. The fund by this 
time exceeded $20,000. As usual the bulk of it was 
made up of small subscriptions, — dimes, dollars and 
upward to $10. 

Dr. Klopsch, when the machinery of relief, so far 
as the contributions were concerned, was in full oper- 
ation, decided to make a trip himself to the heart of 
the famine land, inspect the relief work and cooperate 
with the Finnish Central Relief Committee and the 
Lutheran pastors with whom he had been in com- 
munication. It was a midwinter mission of personal 
service in pursuance of his fixed policy of personally 
carrying out as far as possible the wishes of those 
who had undertaken through The Christian Herald 
the relief movement. 

In the meantime reports continued to come of the 
good the fund was doing and of the need for more 
help. There was also much further information 
about the sturdy Finnish people and their endurance 
under suffering. At this period The Christian Her- 
ald republished the poem, "Peasant Paavo's Faith 
in God," by the famous Finnish poet, Runeberg. It 
is a wonderful picture which applies to the Finnish 
peasant of all times, and is worthy of a permanent 
place in the history of Finland's famines. 

Another famous Finnish poet was Elias Lonnrot. 
In the far remote regions, three quarters of a century 
previously he had traveled around, dropping into 
the huts of peasants, sitting by the fireside of the 




< 

Oh 



-Xi 



c ^ 



FINLAND AND SWEDEN 125 

aged, rowing on the lakes with the fishermen, and 
following the flocks with the shepherds. He was 
collecting the poems circulating by word of mouth 
among the Finnish people. There were very few 
who then could sing them, and there was fear that 
they would be lost entirely. The poems thus col- 
lected by Lonnrot on these journeys he put together 
and in 1835 they were published by the Finnish 
Literary Society, under the name Kalevala. It con- 
tained the archaeology of the Finnish people, the 
deepest wisdom and experience of life, the compre- 
hension of the origin of things and of the mysteries 
of nature, the entire folk-lore of the nation, all 
described in most fascinating poetry. 

A new morning dawned for the Finnish people 
and its literature. The civilized world soon recog- 
nized that living in the icy regions of Europe there 
was a nation which had contributed a precious pearl 
to the world's literature. Lonnrot continued his 
journeys, and his example was follow^ed by others, 
and a revised edition of the Kalevala was published 
in the mature form of an epic. As a reward for his 
great accomplishment in the field of Finnish liter- 
ature Lonnrot was elected professor of the Finnish 
language and literature at the University of Hel- 
singfors in 1853; and he died in 1854 at the age 
of eighty -two. Such was the poetic source which 
Runeberg drew upon for his poem. 

Dr. Klopsch in his journey went first to St. Peters- 
burg. There he found that the Czar, moved by the 
benevolent attitude of the American people toward 
the suffering Finnish peasants, had personally inter- 



126 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

ested himself in organizing relief work under the 
direction of the Imperial Government. It was a 
vast scheme, which was carried out later, but until 
after the melting of the snows and the subsidence 
of the spring floods work of this character could not 
be made efiFective. During the intervening weeks 
the great question was still to supply the people 
with the food necessary to sustain life. 

Dr. Klopsch was accompanied by Mr. Gilson 
Willetts, a well-known newspaper writer. They pro- 
ceeded by rail from St. Petersburg to Helsingfors. 
Thence the journey was made through Finland on 
sledges to the stricken districts. This was in March. 
At once cables began to come to The Christian Herald 
giving the leading incidents of the journey, the 
conditions found, and the need for more money. 
These statements were always met with prompt 
remittances by cable. 

An incident, of many similar ones, was described 
by Mr. Willetts in one of the cables. Under date 
of March 14, 1903, he telegraphed from Uleaborg as 
follows: 

"Five thousand persons, including two thousand 
school children, surrounded The Christian Herald 
party here today, bringing tributes of flowers and 
song as expression of gratitude for America's loving 
sympathy for Finland in her time of trouble. Every- 
where we were received with demonstrations of 
welcome and gladness, and the joy of the Finnish 
people found expression in song. Our parting sere- 
nade at Helsingfors station when we left for the in- 
terior was particularly touching. The world's most 
famous male chorus sang, and five thousand Fin- 



FINLAND AND SWEDEN 127 

landers, men and women, joined in the ovation and 
tribute to Christian America. They Hterally covered 
our party with flowers." 

Later on, March 17th, came a cable announcing 
the arrival of the party at the border of Sweden. 
The cable gave in brief terms a summary of the 
journey. It was as follows: 

"Dr. Klopsch, with the Christian Herald-YuAoiTid 
relief expedition, today crossed the Swedish frontier 
from Tornea, Finland, to this place, having driven 
from Uleaborg by sledges. 

"Throughout the entire journey of the expedition 
from Helsingfors to Tornea on the Finnish bound- 
ary line, its progress was marked by extraordinary 
demonstrations, the people welcoming the travelers 
with song, poetry, oratory and tributes of beautiful 
flowers to express their heart-felt appreciation of 
the generosity of the American people in helping 
Finland in her time of need. 

"In three weeks the expedition has traversed the 
greater part of northern Finland by sledges, and 
practically every important center of distress north 
and east of Helsingfors, being the first party of Ameri- 
cans who have ever journeyed through northern and 
eastern Finland in winter. Finland's gratitude for 
American help is universal." 

A most vivid and illuminating account of the story 
came later from the pen of Dr. Klopsch himself. 
Some extracts from it are necessary in order to show 
the incidents of the journey and the relief that was 
extended, but since the famine scenes are now long 
past, their harrowing details are as far as possible 
omitted. 



128 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Dr. Klopsch, telling of the arrival at Helsingfors 
and his interviews with the Central Relief Committee 
there, gave an explanation of the methods of the 
Committee, which after its interview with him 
adopted a vote of thanks to the American people. 
Dr. J. N. Renter, a professor at the University, was 
designated to accompany the party on the tour of 
inspection. Two days were spent in making the 
necessary preparations. Dr. Klopsch thus describes 
the start for the frozen north: 

*'The snow was twenty inches deep and what the 
weather might be no one could foretell with any degree 
of accuracy. So we provided fur coats, mittens, 
storm caps, boots and rubbers, and laid in a stock 
of provisions sufficient to meet the requirements of 
four men for at least two weeks. Arrangements 
were made by wire for three sledges at Idensalmi, 
the last railway station. All our trunks were sent to 
Stockholm, and each of us started out with only one 
suit of clothing so as to reduce to a minimum the 
baggage to be carried. 

"When we arrived at Helsingfors station a delight- 
ful surprise awaited us. The committee and a vast 
host of people had gathered to see us off. Fifty 
young ladies, each bearing a tiny bouquet with the 
stems held in a small colored glass receptacle with 
a wire collar, the end of w hich was shaped into a hook, 
were in the center of the station; and they advanced 
and fastened the hooks into my overcoat, literally 
covering my chest with flowers. They adorned me 
in accord with the custom of manifesting apprecia- 
tion in vogue in Finland, and much to my personal 
embarrassment I was led to the platform. The 
moment I arrived the Helsingfors male chorus, said 
to be the finest in Europe, began to sing. After they 



FINLAND AND SWEDEN 120 

had sung three or four times I addressed the gath- 
ering, teUing them that while I felt personally 
unworthy of this demonstration, I accepted it as 
intended for the American people, to whom I would 
faithfully report this manifestation of gratitude and 
appreciation. Then the male chorus sang the Fin- 
nish national air, and while they were yet singing 
and the people shouting 'God bless you,' the train 
drew out of the station and we were on our way to 
the famine fields in the interior." 

At the various stops along the route to Idensalmi, 
they saw many evidences of suffering from hunger, 
and made arrangements for such relief as could be 
afforded. 

"At Idensalmi," wrote Dr. Klopsch, "we experi- 
mented somewhat with snowshoes. If we could get 
accustomed to their use it would greatly facilitate 
our reaching homes which otherwise might prove 
inaccessible. We practiced half an hour and at the 
conclusion of our efforts all we could say was that 
we had not fallen nor had we made any progress. 
We must have been very awkw^ard, for we completely 
failed in our attempts, although children as young 
as five glided by us with the swiftness of a bird. 
Darkness having set in we gave it up for once and 
for all. 

"At six in the morning the world about us suddenly 
became musical. Some young farmers in the neigh- 
borhood had recently united and had formed a brass 
band. They wished to express their thanks to their 
American friends for what was being done for the 
poor of their country, and as they lacked eloquence 
they substituted a generous portion of the best 
music at their command. 

"From Idensalmi we traveled twenty-two miles 



ISO LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

by sledge to the post house at Hirvijarvi, stopping 
here and there on the way to visit the cottagers 
within sight from the road. Extreme poverty was 
everywhere prevalent. Most of the people visited 
belonged to the class known as tenant farmers. 
They lease the land on which their cottages are 
erected and pay the yearly rental in ten, twenty, 
or thirty, or more days' work on the farm of the 
owner. As a rule they ply a trade in addition to 
caring for their own garden, and thus in prosperous 
times eke out a comfortable existence. At a cob- 
bler's home we found an old lady of seventy sick with 
fever, and four little children. The mother was out 
seeking work or food. Not a loaf of bread in the 
house and not a drop of milk or nourishment of any 
kind visible. The patient could not rise from her 
bed. The children looked swollen in body and face, 
distended as the result of eating innutritions and indi- 
gestible food. In this, as in every case, the visit- 
ors left bread and of their personal means enough 
money to tide the suflFerers over their immediate 
requirements. 

"The Finns are not a complaining people and are 
very reticent about their own affairs. It would 
never occur to them to tell an outsider that their 
stock of bread was exhausted or that they had last 
week killed their cow because there was no fodder 
to keep it alive, or that they had so long been with- 
out meat and vegetables as to have almost forgotten 
the taste of them. We discovered the best way of 
securing information from Finns concerning their 
own condition is never to ask them about themselves, 
but always about their neighbors. They will elo- 
quently plead their neighbors' case, but they can- 
not beg for themselves, for with most of them it is 
harder to beg than to die. 

*' Early in the afternoon we reached Paisuva and 



FINLAND AND SWEDEN 131 

stopped to rest at a farmhouse. The farmer, a very 
pious man, gladly received us and made us feel quite 
at home. He was as hospitable as his means per- 
mitted. His house and his table were at our dis- 
posal. Lack of sleep and much traveling had made 
us tired. He took us into the parlor, which was also 
his bed-room. Lately it had pleased Providence to 
bereave him. A child of ten had been taken, and 
over the bed hung a photograph of the dead child 
on its bier with father and mother looking at the 
remains of their beloved dead. Ghastly as the pic- 
ture appeared to us, dear it was to him; it reminded 
him of the beloved one waiting for him at the celestial 
gates. We stepped over to the bed and looked at it. 
His eyes were in the same direction. They were wet 
with tears. We said nothing, but we each felt that 
to him that picture was sacred. After serving us 
with delicious coffee and home-made cakes, he har- 
nessed up his own horses in order to give ours a rest 
and took us to another village." 

Continuing the story of the journey Dr. Klopsch 
wrote : 

"After traveling all day in sledges we arrived at 
Kajani at 6.30 in the evening, wiping our feet care- 
fully on the pine branches which took the place of 
rugs at the front door of every Finnish country home. 
We entered the hut, took off our rubbers — every- 
body wears rubbers here — hung up our furs, and 
found four rooms neatly furnished, all ready for our 
occupancy. 

"A host of people had gathered to welcome us, ac- 
cording to Finland's custom, with song and flowers. 
The latter consisted of a tiny bouquet, but the former 
was very abundant and very touching. I addressed 
them in a few words, telling them of the generous 
hearted Christian people across the great deep, who, 
as descendants of Europe, gladly responded to every 



132 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

cry for help from the motherland, and cheerfully con- 
tributed to the needs of the old folks at home. Pro- 
fessor Renter, who acted as interpreter, translated 
my remarks into Finnish. 

"A meal in Finland differs greatly from a meal in 
America. It is specially adapted to the climate, 
and while very acceptable in Finland, would be im- 
possible in our own country. As one enters the din- 
ing room he finds a table set and on it there is caviare, 
smoked salmon, bologna, herring, sardines, ham, 
choice pickles, and ponderous quantities of unsalted 
butter and spiced Swedish bread, baked like pilot 
bread as to size and crispness. This all constitutes 
what is generally known as 'smorgasbord,' or bread- 
and-butter table. A stranger not acquainted with 
Finnish custom would be apt to make a meal of these 
delicacies, in which case a surprise would await him, 
for very soon the dishes are removed and a regu- 
lar course dinner, beginning with soup and ending 
with desert, is served in regulation style, the cold 
dishes having been intended only as an appetizer. 
All of the courses are exceedingly rich, pastry being 
eaten with the soup, and everything else swims in 
prodigious quantities of fat. But all this is necessary 
in a climate like that of Finland, where the thermom- 
eter frequently falls to 30° below zero and a fall of 50° 
in the temperature in a single day is by no means 
an exceptional occurrence. In large hotels smorgas- 
bord is served on a side table; each guest, taking a 
plate, knife and fork, helps himself to whatever best 
suits his fancy and then retires to eat, either stand- 
ing or sitting at the table where the dinner proper is 
to be served. The piety of the Finlanders, and I 
use this word so as to include both native Finns and 
those of Swedish descent, is frequently manifest at 
this time, when standing erect with hands clasped 
and heart bowed many say grace before, and fre- 




MARKET-PLACE AT HELSINGFORS, FINLAND 




DR. KLOPSCH AND THE FINNISH RELIEF COMMITTEE 



FINLAND AND SWEDEN 133 

quently after, meals regardless of how many others 
may be present." 

Kajani was the very center of the famine district. 
There Dr. Klopsch and party remained some time, 
gathering much information from Pastor Wayrynen, 
the head of the Lutheran Church for the dis- 
trict. He escorted them to the neighboring villages 
and told them about the people. The son of a peas- 
ant, he had made his way through college and now 
ministered to the very class among whom he had 
spent his early days. He told of their simple life, 
their firm unwavering faith in God, their unswerving 
honesty, their utter unselfishness, and their readi- 
ness to share the last morsel of bread with a suffer- 
ing neighbor. He particularly dwelt upon their 
abstinence from intoxicants. In the entire district, 
embracing 49,000 souls, there was but one tavern. 

Pastor Wayrynen said that the Finns were so 
intensely and consistently religious that many a 
time when throughout the entire week heavy rains 
interfered with the gathering of the slim crop that 
had survived here and there the untimely snows, 
and Sunday's sun shone brightly and the cool dry 
breezes would invite an effort to save what might 
still be saved, the Finns steadfastly and almost 
without exception refused to do manual labor on the 
Lord's day, preferring to lose what was left rather 
than do anything their conscience could not approve. 

His account of the second day at Kajani Dr. 
Klopsch continued as follows: 

"The first thing I learned was the greeting cus- 
tomary in Finland on meeting one another in the 



134 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

morning. The first one to speak says, *Hyvaa- 
paivaa/ which means, 'Good day,' and the other 
responds reverently, 'Jumala antakoon,' or, 'God 
grant it.' Three sledges started out that morning 
from Kajani on their errand of mercy. One con- 
tained all the bread the local bakery could supply. 
It was hot and aromatic when we received it, but 
the chilling breezes soon rendered it as cold as its 
surroundings. Our first stop was Ejrkoaho, and 
here we visited all the different cottages within the 
radius of time and opportunity. Everywhere the 
same signs of utter destitution confronted us, and 
we could not fail to notice a universal condition of 
nervousness begotten of a continuous feeling of 
uncertainty concerning the next meal of black bread 
and water. And here for the first time we met one 
of the most touching sights we were thereafter fre- 
quently called upon to encounter. I refer to infants 
extracting nourishment from 'sugar plums' made 
of hunger-bread tied up in the corner of a napkin 
and dipped in salt water. Mothers will understand 
why some of us shed tears when we saw it. 

"Driving from one cottage to another we met a 
funeral cortege of sledges coming from the opposite 
direction. The path across the snow was too narrow 
to admit of our passing each other. The first sledge 
bore a white ribbon which indicated the presence of 
the dead. In this instance it was the body of a child, 
a girl of eleven. Over the coffin, a strange looking 
arrangement, were strewn pine branches. Our driver 
hailed the other, saying that we were the Americans, 
and the cortege was about to be obligingly directed 
into the depths of the snow at the side of the road 
when we insisted that the right of way should be 
granted to the mourners, but owing to the narrowness 
of the road this could not be accomplished without 
upsetting both parties; so we all got out, unhar- 



FINLAND AND SWEDEN 135 

nessed the horses, and lifted the sledges around each 
other. Inside of ten minutes the funeral procession 
continued one way and we the other. 

"At Jorma, the next village, after visiting sev- 
eral cottages, tired, weary and heart-sick, we turned 
back and reached the hotel long after darkness had 
set in, but two hours earlier than we had considered 
possible, which we effected by urging our drivers on 
to the utmost speed by the use of a few Finnish 
words that seemed to potently appeal to them. 
They meant 'hurry,' but they were backed by a word 
which meant a gratuity of 40 cents each. They 
said nothing, but hurried on and brought us home 
as quickly as the horses would travel. The Finns 
generally are a people of but few words. A country 
like theirs, long winter nights and eight months of 
deep snow with nothing visible for miles at a time 
but spectral and silent pine groves, is not conducive 
to vivacity of spirits and great loquacity. Then 
again the leathern skies all through the winter are 
apt to depress the spirits and make the people delib- 
erate of both speech and action. 

"While sad and distressing scenes abounded 
everywhere, many cottages contained contented and 
happy families kept busy and cheerful by home 
employments devised by those who had laid it upon 
their hearts to relieve the fearful suffering and to 
stay the relentless hand of death. Looms were being 
operated by the women, fishing nets made by the 
children, woodwork manufactured by the men; and 
suspended poles containing bread, — always baked 
in Finland flat with a large hole in the center, — 
gave evidence that industry made practicable by the 
thoughtfulness of those entrusted with relief opera- 
tions was providing the staff of life for multitudes 
who but for these measures must long ere this have 
filled an untimely grave. 



136 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

'*At midnight we arrived at Ransila. The post 
house had only one room to spare. There were two 
beds. Two of us occupied these and two slept on 
the floor. The windows, sealed as usual, kept out 
even a suspicion of fresh air and the atmosphere 
consequently was almost intolerable. The next day 
we visited Saraisniemi, and here we met the worst 
destitution in all Finland. But in order to reach 
Uleaborg I must hasten on. We left Helsingfors 
March 2d, and it was March 13th when to our great 
joy we again saw railroad tracks at Laminka. Here 
an ovation awaited us. The public evening school 
had arranged a reception. The scholars, young men 
and women, all peasants, sang for us, and the prin- 
cipal made a very eulogistic address in German. 
He almost exhausted his vocabulary in search for 
fitting terms to express his gratitude to each and 
every contributor to the fund that had saved his 
people from death. I responded in an address in 
German, at first directed to the school and then to 
the principal, congratulating him on the mission to 
which he had evidently been providentially called. 
At 7.30 we took the train. A great host had gath- 
ered at the depot and song followed song until the 
train drew out, landing us at 8 o'clock in the evening 
safe and sound without a mishap, providentially 
preserved, at Uleaborg, the most northerly city of the 
world. 

"That night in Uleaborg was a restful one. For 
the first time in two weeks we slept in real beds. 
Throughout the country districts of Finland they 
use what I designate as telescope beds. These beds 
resemble an extension dining table. When not in 
use the bed-clothes are doubled up and the bed itself 
is telescoped to one-third its natural size. As the 
Finns are rather short of stature, the beds when 
extended to full length are under-sized. The head- 



FINLAND AND SWEDEN 137 

board is always toward the center of the room so 
that the feet are toward the wall." / 

Describing the events of the party's stay at Ulea- 
borg, Dr. Klopsch wrote: 

**The morning after we arrived we were as usual 
besieged by a small army of mendicants who pite- 
ously pleaded with tears in their eyes for help. To 
some cash relief was given, while others were referred 
to the exceptionally efficient provincial relief com- 
mittee. Before leaving the hotel we were waited 
on by the Lutheran clergy of the city, who came to 
pay their respects and to assure us that America had 
afforded a 'never to be forgotten assistance to a 
patient, long-suffering, and honest people who will 
ever hold in grateful remembrance the practical 
manifestation of true Christian love of which they had 
been the appreciative recipients when almost over- 
whelmed with affliction which they had tried hard 
to bear without complaint and without publicity.' 

"At noon there was a great gathering in the public 
square in front of the hotel. Word was sent me that 
I should hold myself in readiness for a tremendous 
public demonstration. The Mayor of the city wel- 
comed me. Before us were 2,000 school children 
who had been marshaled into position to sing to the 
American visitors, the first ever known to have 
traversed Finland during the winter season and who 
had come as friends on an errand of mercy at a time 
when traveling in that country required some greater 
incentive than the quest for mere pleasure and 
recreation. In addition to the children, about 3,000 
adults had assembled, so that there were fully 
5,000 people confronting us. The precentor led the 
children, and they sang as though it seemed direct 
from the hearts. Then the Mayor addressed us in 
English and I replied in the same language, which 



138 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Dr. Reuter kindly interpreted to the audience. 
The utmost enthusiasm prevailed. Cheer after cheer 
went up and America and the Americans were 
applauded vociferously. Then a few flowers were 
presented by little girls, each of whom made a brief 
address, which we of course could not understand, 
but the meaning of which we recognized from the 
eyes of the tiny orators." 

Some time was spent by Dr. Klopsch in attending 
to the details of the relief and listening to the reports 
which were made. In the afternoon of the same day 
the party took the train to Kemi, the most northerly 
railway station in Finland and from which sledges 
were again employed to take them to Tornea at the 
northern point of the Gulf of Bothnia; thence to Ha- 
paranda, the first stopping point across the Swedish 
boundary, and from there to Majarvi, the first rail- 
way station in Sweden. Describing various inci- 
dents of the day and trip, Dr. Klopsch said in his 
letter: 

"We were interrupted at every station by mul- 
titudes who had come to welcome and thank us in 
song. The majority of them must have traveled 
many miles, for usually the villages are greatly scat- 
tered and .consequently sparsely populated. In- 
variably I appeared on the platform and addressed 
them. At Kemi 1,200 had gathered. The winds 
were icy, but for a full hour I stood bare-headed at 
the station door. Never had I seen greater disci- 
pline in the handhng of a crowd. Song after song 
and speech after speech were delivered." 

Recounting the farewell reception at Tornea, Dr. 
Klopsch wrote: 



FINLAND AND SWEDEN 139 

"The public schools had been granted a holiday 
in order that all the children might help to honor 
the American visitors, and they were there in great 
numbers. On entering the municipal building we 
were escorted to a place in the assembly room. Two 
or three songs were sung by the people and then 
the Mayor made a very impressive address, in the 
course of which he paid the highest compliment to 
American philanthropy. Then came another song, 
followed by my reply, again interpreted by Professor 
Renter. Then the superintendent of the schools 
made a long and very impassioned address extol- 
ling Finland and the Finns, their civilization, their 
simplicity of life, their virtues, and their institutions 
of learning. During his remarks the tears literally 
rolled down his cheeks. At the conclusion of his 
address he presented me with two volumes of the 
Kalevala. In reply I told him how near the suffer- 
ings of his people have brought them to the hearts 
of our own, and that since the first reports of famine 
the Americans had studied up carefully all about Fin- 
land and had learned of all their piety, their noble 
character and educational institutions, their high 
respect for womanhood, their art and their litera- 
ture. Then, after the Finnish national song, followed 
a hand-shaking of unusual proportion, of which the 
children got the major share. 

"Imagining that the reception closed then and 
there, I shook hands again with those in charge, and 
was surprised to learn that the demonstration thus 
ended was in reality but the commencement of 
things, and that now we would all meet in the an- 
cient Lutheran Church, there to sing praises to our 
Heavenly Father for having influenced the heart 
of a great nation to come to the relief of the simple, 
pious people of unhappy Finland. So in a procession 
we all marched down the main thoroughfare to the 



140 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

venerable church with its ancient mural paintings, 
and there, crowded to its utmost capacity and led 
by the pastor, hymns of praise and thanksgiving 
were sung to Him who in the Heavens regulates 
the destinies of the nations of the earth. Then the 
entire assembly escorted us to the bridge between 
Sweden and Finland. On reaching the dividing 
line. Professor Renter and Mr. Alopaens on behalf 
of Finland formally delivered us safe and sound 
in the presence of the great audience to Captain 
Samdbaum and Reverend Julivo, the representa- 
tives of Sweden. The people sang, and one of their 
number addressed us. 

*'To their farewell address I replied: 'Permit me 
to express to you and all the good people of Finland 
my heart-felt thanks for your generous hospitality 
to me while in your lovely land. Words cannot 
express how greatly I appreciate your simple life, 
which I have had exceptional opportunities to 
observe and which has been to me an object lesson 
that I shall ever remember. Your earnestness, sin- 
cerity and simplicity have greatly impressed me, and 
I leave you with unfeigned regret. Your custom 
of expressing your affection in song and flowers is 
indeed very touching, and has been to me a genuine 
inspiration. May God abundantly bless Finland 
and speedily drive from it the dark specter of famine 
that now enshrouds it. God bless America for what 
it has done for you to bring to your homes hope, 
comfort and sunshine.' Then followed the familiar 
cheer, 'Alakoon,' ('Long live Totori Klopsch!'), and 
while it was given we stepped across the line into 
Sweden." 

Parts of Sweden and also a small section of Nor- 
way suffered from the same causes that caused the 
famine in Finland. The distress was mostly north 




FINNISH CHILDREN IX A PEASANT SCHOOL 




FARM LABORERS OF FLXLAXD 



FINLAND AND SWEDEN 141 

of the Arctic Circle, where the people had had snow 
and ice for months. It was estimated 200,000 Scan- 
dinavians were in want. Correspondents of Ameri- 
can newspapers gave pitiful details of the famine in 
north Sweden. The Scandinavian people of the 
United States were prompt to come to the help of 
their countrymen in distress. Relief committees were 
organized and very substantial contributions were 
forwarded, which were distributed from the relief 
committee in Stockholm. 

Dr. Klopsch could not be blind to this condition. 
The Christian Herald relief movements never knew 
geographical lines. Pastor Mauritz Stolpe, of the 
Swedish Lutheran Gustavus Adolphus Church in 
New York, wrote him briefly of the facts, saying 
that since the years of war in 1808-09 no one had 
witnessed anything like the condition in Sweden. 
He closed his letter: "Please hearken to the appeal 
of the stricken people." 

Dr. Klopsch made personal observations and gath- 
ered the facts when he was in Finland. As soon as 
he reached Stockholm he made inquiry regarding 
the means of distributing relief funds. He there- 
upon transferred to the Central Relief Committee 
about $27,000 for Swedish relief, and more than 
$5,000 for the relief operations in Norway. He also 
took pains through the columns of The Christian 
Herald to bring the situation to the attention of the 
generous people of the United States. 

The following special cable despatch from Stock- 
holm, under date of March 23d, gave in very brief 
form the facts: 



142 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

"The Christian Herald relief party, consisting of 
Dr. Louis Klopsch and Mr. Gilson Willetts, arrived 
in Stockholm from Finland yesterday. American 
flags were displayed on public buildings, the Ameri- 
can Legation hoisting for the first time in its history 
the American flag for a private citizen. 

"Today at noon the relief party lunched at the 
Legation. Minister Thomas in his address said 
this great charity had done more to bind Sweden 
and America closely together than anything that had 
been accomplished in 40 years. 

"At 2 o'clock the unusual distinction was granted 
of a special audience of haM an hour in the pri- 
vate chambers of the King and Queen, who were 
together. 

"Their Majesties expressed their heart-felt thanks 
to the great-hearted American people for their kind- 
ness to the suffering people of Sweden. Both were 
moved to tears when told that there were many 
thousands of infant contributors to the relief work. 
The King said he was sure the Swedes made good 
American citizens, reflecting credit alike on them- 
selves and on their adopted and mother countries. 
He hoped the visitors liked Sweden. He was proud, 
he said, to be King of such a country and such a 
people. At the Queen's invitation the relief party 
visited a hospital founded by Her Majesty." 

The Central Relief Committee at Stockholm also 
sent a cable despatch to The Christian Herald saying 
that the Swedish sufferers desired to thank the 
American people for their magnificent relief. 

Dr. Klopsch went from Stockholm to St. Peters- 
burg, and then started back to the United States. 
The party stopped at Copenhagen, where an audi- 
ence was given by the Danish Royal family. This 



FINLAND AND SWEDEN 143 

was described by Dr. Klopsch in t^he following 
cablegram: 

"Copenhagen, April 11, 1903. — Today we were 
favored with an audience lasting an hour with King 
Christian of Denmark, Queen Alexandra of England, 
and the Dowager Empress of Russia. It took place 
at the Royal Palace. 

"Queen Alexandra, who was the first to enter, 
expressed her profound appreciation of the good 
work done by Americans for India, during and since 
the famine. She had read and heard of its magni- 
tude with ever increasing admiration. She begged 
that the generous people of America might be assured 
of England's sincerest gratitude. 

"The Dowager Empress of Russia was moved to 
tears at the recital of our Finland famine experi- 
ences. Both Queen and Empress repeatedly ex- 
pressed the deepest sympathy with the sufferers. 
The recital of incidents showing the self-denial prac- 
ticed by many of the poor contributors to the relief 
fund evoked many times the expression, *God bless 
and reward them.' 

"King Christian, who spoke in German, was very 
cordial, and said at parting, 'Please convey my 
greetings to the Danes in America, from whom I 
have received many tokens of continued love and 
loyalty.' 

"On Friday forenoon we had the pleasure of an 
audience with the Crown Prince, and in the even- 
ing we were entertained at dinner with his family, 
twenty sitting at a table." 

After his return to New York, Dr. Klopsch was 
overwhelmed with evidences of the gratitude of the 
countrymen of the people to whose rehef he had 
come in the hour of famine. The United States 



144 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Minister at Stockholm, Hon. W. W. Thomas, in 
July addressed to the Norwegian Cabinet Minister 
a letter enclosing from Dr. Klopsch a second check 
for the distressed people of northern Norway. " When 
we reflect," wrote the American Minister, *'that 
these grand benefactions are not the gifts of million- 
aires, but the contributions of people of small means, 
that these sums all come from the little savings of 
the one million Americans who read The Christian 
Herald of New York, it seems to me that these 
noble gifts constitute an act of Christian benevo- 
lence which both in kind and amount are perhaps 
without a parallel in history. 

"All honor to Dr. Klopsch, the little man with a 
great heart, who has organized and carried out this 
good and great work." 

The Norwegian Minister, Sigurd Ibsen, replying to 
the American Minister's note and acknowledging the 
receipt of the second contribution, wrote further: 

"I do not need to emphasize what an impression 
this renewed proof of grand benevolence will leave 
in this country. 

"I beg you in the name of my colleagues and on 
my own behalf to present to Dr. Klopsch our deep- 
felt gratitude, and at the same time to accept for 
yourself the expression of our recognition of the part 
you have had in this matter." 

In January, 1904, the Finlanders resident in the 
United States presented a special address to Dr. 
Klopsch in appreciation of his services. Parts of 
it are as follows: 



FINLAND AND SWEDEN 145 

Dr. Klopsch. ^ 

Dear Friend : Although you received while in Finland many 
tokens of gratitude and esteem of the Finnish people in return 
for all you did in their time of dire distress, and while, since 
your return to America, there has not been wanting individual 
testimony as to the grateful sentiments of the thousands of Fin- 
landers now resident in the United States for the aid extended 
to their suffering kinsfolk at home, it remains true that up to 
the present no formal recognition of your energetic generosity 
has been given by Finnish- Americans. If we have waited some 
time before acting on our inclinations, it has only been in con- 
sonance with the Finnish temperament, which does nothing 
in haste, but prefers to weigh its actions long beforehand. 
This has the effect, in the present instance, as we intend, of 
making the formal rendering of our thanks doubly significant, 
as the well-considered act of men who do not allow the mem- 
ory of a good deed to fade, but cherish it enduringly. 

So it comes that we, natives of the country whose sufferings 
you did so much to alleviate, and residents of the land whose 
ready and imstinted practical sympathy made you one of its 
foremost agents, have come together in our quahty as repre- 
sentatives of the 300,000 Finlanders now on American soil, for 
the purpose of voicing our heart-felt appreciation, first: of the 
splendid spontaneous generosity of the American people, from 
the highest to the humblest, and whom we now address through 
you; and secondly: of the well-directed enterprise and sustained 
enthusiasm of The Christian Herald and its responsible staff 
that created for that characteristic generosity so prompt and 
efficacious an outlet. In the name, then, of our thousands of 
fellow-countrymen, from the Pacific sea-board to the Atlantic, 
most of them by far toilers in the humbler ranks of life, but 
many also representative of the professions, the press, and 
mercantile pursuits, we here tender you, Dr. Klopsch, this 
formal expression of our gratitude, our affection, and our 
esteem. 

But we are not content simply to do this. We would further 
place on record our glad recognition of the fact that such acts 



146 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

of practical Christianity do more than aught else, not only to 
promote a helpful fellow-feeling, but also, and what is of more 
importance, to develop mutual understanding between nations, 
and so tend to weaken those manifestations of racial prejudice 
which form the most formidable barrier to the progress of 
civilization in the highest sense. That the conception of the 
"Citizen of the World" is so much more general and its value 
so greatly enhanced since the days of Oliver Goldsmith is due 
largely to just such beneficent acts as your exhausting journey 
to and through that distant land and your active prosecution 
of a great mission of charity, together with the wide dissemina- 
tion, through your valued paper and other organs of the press, 
of a more intimate knowledge, gained through personal observa- 
tion, of a foreign people, studied, in their hour of heaviest trial, 
with a practical eye and a deeply sympathetic heart. 

We here in America, though far from our Finnish birthplace, 
still carry deep in our hearts those ideals of quiet, orderly 
progress and of high citizenship that our forefathers cherished, 
and we rejoice that your noble work of brotherly love has placed 
you in a position, not only to gain a just estimate of the qualities 
and aims of our beloved Finland, but also to help make these 
better known to the great nation among which we have found 
our second home, and with whose particular virtues you have 
contributed so powerfully to render us gratefully and lastingly 
familiar. 

May the blessing of the Supreme Power, under whose benefi- 
cent sway it has been granted to do so much good to our stricken 
people, rest upon you and your undertakings, and upon the 
warm-hearted American people who have stretched out the 
hand of brotherly help to our kin, throughout the year that has 
just dawned! 

New York, January 2, 1904. 

In later years whenever there came word of further 
distress in Finland, he was again ready to help. 
Thus it was that in 1907, when the crops were not 



FINLAND AND SWEDEN 147 

up to the usual, there was some distress and hunger. 
Dr. Klopsch immediately offered reHef should it be 
needed. The reply came back, however, that the 
distress was only local and temporary and that 
relief from abroad would not be necessary. 



CHAPTER IX 

MODERN MACEDONIA 

MIXED RACES UNDER TURKISH RULE — DESCRIPTION OF AN INTERESTING COUN- 
TRY AND ITS PEOPLE CAUSES OP BRIGANDAGE KIDNAPPING OF ELLEN 

M. STONE, THE MISSIONARY DEMAND FOR RANSOM DR. KLOPSCH RAISES 

FUNDS MISS stone's STORY OF THE CAPTURE AND RELEASE HOW FREE- 
DOM WAS OBTAINED THE INSURRECTION IN 1903 ATROCITIES AND SUF- 
FERINGS APPEAL BY THE "CHRISTIAN HERALD " READY RESPONSES 

DR. KLOPSCH COMMISSIONS A MACEDONIAN PASTOR HIS REPORTS ON THE 

RELIEF WORK GRATITUDE TO AMERICA SATISFACTORY RESULTS. 

MACEDONIA, as a name, has no modern 
territorial significance. It is merely part 
of European Turkey and has been under 
Turkish dominion since the fifteenth century. 
There are a variety of races and nationalities, but 
authentically Macedonia cannot be claimed exclu- 
sively by any one of the neighboring countries. The 
people of the present day, who are Turkish sub- 
jects, include Bulgarians, Greeks, Servians, Turks, 
and other nationalities. 

By far the largest part of the population is Bul- 
garian, and the Macedonian Bulgarians are by blood 
and by religious belief the same with the Bulgarians 
of Bulgaria. The difference is that after the war 
between Russia and Turkey, and the peace which 
was established by the Berlin Conference of 1878, 
Bulgaria became a semi-independent country, and 
in 1909 was able to secure its complete political 
independence, while Macedonia is still under Turk- 

148 



MODERN MACEDONIA 149 

ish dominion. Macedonia in fact in the past has 
been the vexing question in what is known in Euro- 
pean pohtics as the *' Balkan situation." 

"Macedonia," wrote Henry Mann in The Christian 
Herald some years ago, "the land of Philip and of 
Alexander, the cradle of an empire whose victors 
sighed for more worlds to conquer, after many cen- 
turies of comparative obscurity once more attracts 
the anxious gaze of mankind. It is not the Mace- 
donia of old, or even its shadow. But few crum- 
bling remnants alone tell us of cities from which 
went forth the victors of Issus and Arbela. Their 
very race is extinct and its place has long been 
taken by descendants of those whom the ancient 
Greeks regarded as barbarians. 

"Modern Macedonia is a part of European Turkey. 
It is not the name of any political division of the 
Ottoman Empire, but is applied indefinitely to the 
region included in the three provinces of Kos- 
sova, Monastir and Salonica, wedged in between 
Adrianople on the east, Albania on the west, the free 
or autonomous Balkan States and Bosnia on the 
north, and the ^gean Sea on the south. These 
three provinces have an area of a little more than 
thirty thousand square miles in extent, and a total 
population of about two and three-quarter millions, 
nearly all Christians of the Bulgarian or Greek 
churches, the former greatly in the majority. 

"Macedonia is a rugged and also a fertile land, 
including broad masses of mountains and extensive 
sweeps of lowland, with a hardy peasantry which 
has learned through many years of misrule an un- 



150 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

quenchable hatred of the Turk. The anarchy, 
insecurity and intolerance of all creeds calling them- 
selves Christian, which prevail everywhere the Turk 
has full sway, sufficiently account for conditions in 
Macedonia. There is no foreign influence there to 
restrain Turkish crime, licentiousness and cruelty. 
The Albanian Moslems, who are brigands by nature 
and training, prey on the Christian Macedonians 
from the western boundary, while the Turkish levies 
from Asia, whose idea of soldiering is comprised in 
murder and plunder, inflict all sorts of outrages on 
the wretched inhabitants, whom they are supposed 
to protect. 

"A simple and honest plain people, doing their 
best to live good lives so far as they are permitted 
by their masters, the Turks, the Macedonians well 
deserve the sympathy of nations more fortunately 
situated." 

The same writer, telling of the conditions which 
produce insurrection, said that it was probable that 
European Turkey and the mountainous parts of 
Greece have never in modern times been free from 
brigandage. Many instances were given by him in 
which captives were held for ransom. A case which 
came close home to the American people was that 
of Miss Ellen M. Stone, the American missionary, 
and her companion, Mrs. Tsilka, the wife of an 
Albanian preacher. Early in September of 1901, 
Miss Stone, with a party of native Christians con- 
nected with the missions, was traveling from Bansko 
to Djumas, about a hundred miles east of Salonica, 
and in the mountain ranges of Macedonia near the 



MODERN MACEDONIA 151 

Bulgarian frontier, through a part of the country 
which was usually considered safe. While the party 
were passing through a defile in the mountains 
there suddenly appeared two groups of men, one in 
front, the other behind them, dressed as Turkish 
soldiers. All the party were made prisoners, and 
were subjected to a search for valuables. After 
taking their money, jewelry, and watches, the plun- 
derers, who spoke the Bulgarian language, though 
dressed as Turks, liberated all except Miss Stone 
and Mrs. Tsilka. The main body of the party found 
their way to a place of safety, some of them carrying 
the news of the abduction to the American Board 
Mission at Samakov in European Turkey. 

It quickly became apparent that the outlaws had 
a definite purpose in the capture of Miss Stone, for 
Mrs. Tsilka was liberated and sent to Bansko, to 
procure money for the prisoners' present needs. 
It was also announced that the bandits demanded 
a ransom of $110,000 for Miss Stone's liberation. 
This demand was made known in a letter from Miss 
Stone to Rev. Dr. Haskell, American Board mission- 
ary at Samakov, and a place was named where the 
brigands would receive the money, for which they 
pledged their word the prisoner would be restored 
to her friends. It soon became apparent that the 
capture of Miss Stone was not an act of mere brig- 
andage, but was a political plot deliberately planned. 
It was the belief, which was subsequently confirmed, 
that the kidnapping was known to the leaders in the 
movement against Turkish rule. 

The officials of the American Board of Foreign 



152 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Missions, when the first news came, beheved that 
the brigands, as soon as they realized that their 
threats and demands were unavailing, and that no 
ransom would be paid, would release their captive. 
A different view of the case was taken by the State 
Department at Washington. It was thought that 
Miss Stone was in imminent peril, and that the cap- 
tors would not likely be influenced by sentimental 
motives or swayed from their purposes by pleas for 
mercy. This opinion was shared by many people 
in the United States, and it was decided by the 
relatives of Miss Stone, and their pastors, to appeal 
to the whole nation to subscribe the ransom. This 
appeal was issued through the American Board. 

At the last hour The Christian Herald was urgently 
requested to assist in the movement for raising the 
ransom. It did so gladly, and soon the telegraph 
wares were flashing messages to liberal hearts in 
many states, while the telephone was used for reach- 
ing persons in New York. Within five or six hours 
subscriptions amounting to $2,000 were received. 
One of these was from Wu Ting Fang, the Chinese 
Minister to the United States. He took the oppor- 
tunity of showing his gratitude for the generosity 
with which America had helped China in the then 
recent famine. 

In an editorial, Dr. Klopsch discussed the situa- 
tion. He did not stop to consider whether the 
abduction of the American missionary was accom- 
plished solely for the purpose of securing a ransom 
or had ulterior political motives. 

"The American Board," said the editorial, *'has 



MODERN MACEDONIA 153 

declined to accede to the demand for a ransom on 
the ground that if the Board yields to such a de- 
mand, it would be placing a premium on brigandage, 
endangering missionaries everywhere, causing infinite 
pain and anxiety to friends at home, seriously em- 
barrassing the missionary work, and jeopardizing 
the long years of consecrated toil. To pay the ran- 
som, therefore, would be to establish a dangerous 
precedent. At the same time the natural solicitude 
of relatives and the sympathy of an interested pub- 
lic in Miss Stone's case have been so pronounced 
that the Board has sent out an appeal in her behalf." 

Notwithstanding the well-founded suspicion that 
the capture of Miss Stone had been instigated by 
the Macedonian Revolutionary Committee, it became 
apparent that the Turkish Government was unable 
to secure her release, and that those who believed 
in raising the ransom to insure her safety should 
proceed with their efforts. So the work went for- 
ward and from all sources $65,000 was raised. 

President Washburn, of Robert College, Constan- 
tinople, wrote that the chief difficulty in the case of 
Miss Stone was not to find money, but to find Miss 
Stone and the brigands. Ultimately this was done. 
Rumors came of release, and later on more posi- 
tive news. More than five months after the cap- 
ture, the release was effected. On February 18th a 
cable from Vienna stated that Miss Stone had been 
handed over to Dragoman Garguilo, of the Ameri- 
can Legation. It appeared that the accounts were 
conflicting, but there was no question that she was 
free. Then came news that she was on her way 



154 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

home. When she reached New York, on the 
steamer Deutschland on April 10, 1902, Miss Stone 
told to the newspapers the story of her life among 
the brigands. 

"When they captured us," she said, "they told us, 
'We took you for money. We will release you when 
the ransom is paid.' We would have been treated 
badly if it had not been for the little baby, born to 
Mrs. Tsilka during our captivity, and whose pres- 
ence seemed to spread a veil of safety over us. A 
few days before we were ransomed, the leader of the 
brigands said: 'There's a bullet for you and one for 
Mrs. Tsilka and the baby, if the ransom is not paid 
within a certain date.' But God delivered us out 
of the hands of the enemy. What was done with 
the ransom money I don't know. Whether it was 
used for political purposes in Macedonia, I can't 
state. All I know is that the brigands got it. 

"Mrs. Tsilka and I often wondered if the outside 
world knew anything about us and what was being 
done to have us liberated. The brigands occa- 
sionally hinted of the rumors about us being dead, 
but further than that we knew nothing. We were 
kept in secret places and always traveled by night. 
When I wrote my letter seeking ransom, I wrote 
because they forced me to do so, threatening me 
with a loaded rifle. 

"When the baby was born, the event caused a sen- 
sation in the brigand camp. The men would come 
and look at the baby. They would pat its fingers. 
When she was three days old, I carried her on a 
board over the mountains. 



MODERN MACEDONIA 155 

"On the last day of our captivity we started, as 
usual, to travel at night. We traveled about an 
hour, when there was commotion in the band. We 
stopped in the dark road, but in a few minutes we 
heard the command to proceed. I heard the order 
given to go back with the horses, but even then I 
did not realize that the brigands had turned us loose, 
until they were out of sight and beyond hearing. 
We looked around and found that there were only 
two men left with us. Then they led us to a little 
town, and we were told that our ransom had been 
paid and we were free. We lifted our hearts to God 
in faithful prayer. 

"Some of the brigands wore Turkish costumes, 
some spoke Greek and others Albanian. Several of 
them dressed like Turks, looked like Turks, talked 
like Turks, and I have no doubt they were Turks." 

Mr. William E. Curtis, the well-known newspaper 
correspondent, dispelled the mystery surrounding the 
negotiations with the bandits in a letter describing 
the affair. He explained that Mr. J. G. Leishman, 
the United States Minister at Constantinople, took 
charge of the negotiations after Consul -General 
Dickinson, who had been entrusted with the pre- 
liminaries, was recalled from Bulgaria. The minister 
opened communication directly with the brigands. 
He chose the Rev. W. W. Peet, Treasurer of the 
American Bible Society at Constantinople, the Rev. 
John H. House of Ohio, in charge of the American 
Missions in Macedonia, and Chief Dragoman Gar- 
guilo, interpreter of the American Legation at Con- 
stantinople as a committee, and dispatched them to 



156 LIFE-WORK OP LOUIS KLOPSCH 

the scene of Miss Stone's capture. Dr. Peet carried 
the ransom money, $65,000, and the brigands knew 
it. Dr. House was soon in communication with Miss 
Stone, who was then at a village called Razlag. 
She wrote him advising him to pay the ransom. 
Her captors, she said, insisted that it be paid before 
they set her free. Minister Leishman knew from 
the history of similar cases that such a demand was 
customary, and he believed firmly that the brigands 
would keep their pledged word. Dr. House, too, 
advised compliance. The brigands themselves in- 
dicated how and where the money should be de- 
livered, and their wishes were carried out. They 
released the captives immediately. 

The abduction of Miss Stone gave an insight into 
the political conditions in Macedonia and on the 
Bulgarian border. Later it was shown that an insur- 
rection against Turkish misrule was being planned. 
This movement came to a head in the summer of 
1903. It must be remembered that the revolt was 
against the Turk Abdul Hamid and his provincial 
government, and that the Young Turks, who have 
since sought to make the Turkish rule acceptable to 
all nationalities within the Turkish dominions, were 
themselves at the time engaged in their plans for 
overthrowing Abdul Hamid. 

At the beginning of September the insurrection- 
aries had 20,000 well armed men in the field, chiefly 
Bulgarians, who were fighting the Turks by guerrilla 
methods. They overran a large part of Macedonia 
and the Bulgarian frontier. But Turkey, always 
prepared for insurrections by her oppressed subjects. 



MODERN MACEDONIA 157 

was ready for this emergency and at once threw a 
large army into the field. Atrocities were committed 
on both sides, but the disciplined outrages were on 
the part of the Turkish troops. Macedonian towns 
and villages were laid waste and swept bare of their 
Christian population. In some districts there were 
general slaughters in which women and children 
were massacred. The war, if war it could be called, 
was soon over, but the suffering grew. It became 
known that 150,000 women and children were on 
the verge of starvation, and that Christian inhabi- 
tants, terror-stricken, were fleeing hourly, fearing a 
general massacre by the Mussulmans, whose fanati- 
cal hatred had been stirred to the highest point. 
The Christian Herald, in an editorial, thus described 
the Macedonian cry: 

"It is a terrible story of the unspeakable horrors 
of war that comes to us from Macedonia. From 
those desolated valleys, with their homes a mass of 
smoking embers, and their dead lying unburied ; from 
the forests in which the poor, miserable fugitives are 
hiding from the fanatical hordes who pursue them; 
from caves and holes in those wild and rugged moun- 
tains, there comes a cry to Christendom for aid. 

"From those bleak mountains they can look down 
upon their old homes, ruined by fire and pillage, 
their little gardens, where only a few weeks ago all 
was peace and happiness, with the children playing 
at the mother's knee, but where all is now wasted 
and blackened. War has swept over all, leaving a 
track of blood and ashes, and a sorrow that none 
save God can heal. 

"Deaf indeed must be the ears that do not hear 
the call of Macedonia for succor to-day; blind must 



158 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

be the eyes that cannot see the vision of those exiles, 
as they lift up their voices in despairing appeal. Shall 
the call be answered? We leave the decision with 
the readers of The Christian Her aid J"^ 

Its readers answered the call. The missionaries 
in Macedonia wrote to Dr. Klopsch giving the con- 
ditions which demanded relief, and indicating the 
means that might be followed. Miss Ellen M. Stone 
herself sent forth an appeal. Putting aside all resent- 
ment and without even referring to her own perilous 
experience she appealed to the sympathy of the Amer- 
ican people in behalf of the Macedonians in a letter 
which gave her personal knowledge of the conditions. 

"The snows of winter," she wrote, "already cover 
those lofty mountain peaks, and have concealed the 
berries and leaves upon which the starving refugees 
were striving to subsist. Shelters must be provided 
for them somehow, and they be gathered where at 
least a small quantity of flour may be doled out to 
them, and a blanket to help them endure these 
winter nights, if their lives are to be preserved. No 
wonder that the pitying hearts of the relief dis- 
tributors long for the great stores of army blankets, 
and for thousands and thousands of dollars to 
purchase supplies of food and clothing. Let us 
hasten with our gifts through the willing channel 
of The Christian Herald, that our Christmas song 
shall be made even more full of rejoicing than 
usual, because 'the blessing of Him that was ready 
to perish' has fallen upon us." 

This was written at the Thanksgiving season, and 
later came stories of the black Christmas in store 



MODERN MACEDONIA 159 

for the natives of Macedonia. Members of a com- 
mittee of active Macedonian pastors in the United 
States also appealed to the American people through 
The Christian Herald, Dr. Klopsch decided that in 
view of the interest aroused, and in order that the 
readers of The Christian Herald be fully informed 
of the actual state of affairs in Macedonia and of 
the use made of their gifts, a special representa- 
tive should be sent. For this purpose the Rev. 
Marco N. Popoff, a native evangelical pastor, was 
commissioned. He was thoroughly familiar with the 
centers of suffering and was personally acquainted 
with the missionaries and native Christian pastors 
and workers. 

After a remarkably quick journey. Pastor Popoff 
reached Sofia, Bulgaria, on January 20, 1904. Five 
days later he cabled that a relief committee of 
twenty-three members had been organized, with 
the Rev. Edward B. Haskell as Chairman. At the 
same time acknowledgment was received from the 
Rev. W. W. Peet, Treasurer of the American Mis- 
sions in Turkey, of the receipt at Constantinople of 
$10,000 for Macedonian relief. From Salonica, the 
Rev. E. B. Haskell, Chairman of The Christian 
Herald Relief Committee, wrote giving incidents of 
the distribution of the supplies. Many of them were 
very affecting. The funds were used chiefly in 
furnishing flour and blankets and in maintaining 
retreats for the sick and wounded. 

Pastor Popoff wrote from Tarta Pazardjik, giving 
some characteristic incidents. Among other things 
he said: 



160 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

''In a deserted coffee shop, I found forty refugees 
— men, women, children, marriageable girls and 
young men — all crowded together. At night they 
spread whatever they had on the floor and rested 
there. The women were spinning wool. I asked 
them who gave them wool. They said: 'It is not 
ours; we get it from the city women to spin for 
them. We prefer to have something to do rather 
than to be idle, although they pay us but very 
little.' For spinning three pounds of wool, which 
keeps a woman busy nearly a week, they get 
twenty -four cents." 

In a letter dated at Lujene, February 8th, Pastor 
Popoff gave further interesting details of his jour- 
ney among the fugitives who were scattered through 
the mountain villages on the Bulgarian border. He 
wrote : 

"From Ichtiman, I started for Lujene. To reach 
this place I rode only one hour by rail, and nine 
hours by carriage over mountain roads. Lujene is 
the principal of three villages in the Rodope Moun- 
tains, about four hours' journey from the boundary 
line [between Bulgaria and Macedonia. The three 
villages are nestled in a beautiful mountain dale, 
the three together having a population of 5,000, 
which derives subsistence from the forests mostly, 
by cutting and drawing fire-wood and lumber. 

"Among the refugees at Lujene are about forty 
Protestants from Razlag. Rev. Sedloeff , their pastor, 
is himself a refugee. He is The Christian Herald rep- 
resentative there. I preached to them Sunday morn- 
ing from the text, 'Though I walk through the 




THE BULGARIAN ARMY GOING INTO WINTER QUARTERS 




MACEDONIAN PASTORS AND OTHERS REPRESENTED IN 
THE RELIEF WORK 



MODERN MACEDONIA 161 

valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; 
for Thou art with me.' In the afternoon about one 
hundred and fifty people came to the hotel to hear 
from me what America is doing for them. After 
my talk, an old man said to me: 'We are very 
grateful for the aid given us, but we will be more 
grateful if something will be done that will enable 
us to go to our own places, although our homes are 
destroyed.'" 

The semblance of peace was slowly restored by 
the Turkish Government, the danger from cold and 
starvation passed, and the survivors of the insur- 
rectionary movement and the refugees on the Bul- 
garian border went back to their homes. The need 
of relief from abroad became less acute, and final 
remittance of $7,000 was sent to the Rev. Mr. Peet, 
of the American Board at Constantinople, and no 
further appeals were made for contributions. 

Summing up the work. The Christian Herald said : 

"Benevolent hearts in the United States, Great 
Britain, and Bulgaria have acted most harmoniously 
and eflSciently together in all this work of Mace- 
donian relief. Catholic missionaries and Sisters of 
Mercy worked side by side with evangelical mission- 
aries, colporteurs, and preachers, and all received 
funds through the hands of the American Mission- 
ary Committee at Monastir. Tenderly nurtured 
women of rank, who knew the country and its vari- 
ous nationalities, as few others could know them, 
have labored most self-denyingly, and with self- 
abnegation, for the mitigation of the sufferings and 
destitution in which the struggle between the Mus- 
sulman rulers and Christian subjects had left the 
country last autumn. 



162 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

''Christian Herald readers have generously re- 
sponded to this need. The winter is now over and 
gone, and the spring has appeared in that part of 
the world. The crocuses, violets, primroses, and 
dandelions have been found in sheltered nooks even 
on mountain sides, while on the hills and plains 
appear the almond trees, white with blossoms, and 
the fields of poppies and of winter wheat in their 
greenness. The latter is true in regions where the 
greatest terrors had not fallen, where there were still 
men left to plow and sow their fields last autumn, or 
women who might still brave the loneliness of their 
fields in sections where the dreaded Albanian and 
Turkish guards, or the regular troops of Abdul 
Hamid, or his irregular Bashi-Bazouks, were not ter- 
rifying and devastating the Christian population." 



CHAPTER X 

china's sorrow 

MILLIONS WHO BUFFER FROM RIVER FLOODS — DISTRESS IN 1899 — FRESH 

CALAMITY IN 1901 — MINISTER WTj's STATEMENT DR. KLOPSCH ON THE 

AMERICAN ATTITUDE TOWARD CHINA — LI HUNG CHANG's MESSAGE 

MINISTER conger's CONTRIBUTION — DR. KLOPSCh's RELIEF ORGANIZATION 

PRESIDENT MC KINLEY AND SECRETARY HAY AID — AMERICAN MISSIONARY 

COMMITTEE — APPEAL FROM CHINESE CHURCHES — SPECIAL COMMISSIONER 
NICHOLS DISPATCHED — GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS OF THE REMOTE PROVINCES 
IN THE HEART OF SHANSI — NATIVE CUSTOMS — HOW SHENSI WAS SUC- 
CORED — WHAT THE "christian HERALD " ACCOMPLISHED. 

CHINA came within the sphere of Dr. Klopsch*s 
philanthropies. The ancient empire of Con- 
fucius always had a great attraction for him 
though he never was able to visit it. The four 
hundred million inhabitants he looked on, notwith- 
standing the diJBPerence in standards of civilization, 
as all coming within the common fold. When 
famine spread over any section of the vast country, 
Dr. Klopsch was ready to put forth his energies for 
its relief. 

China's famines often have resulted from floods, 
rather than from droughts, and have spread disaster 
and death among millions of peasants. "China's 
Sorrow" is the name by which the great Hwang-Ho, 
or Yellow River, is known throughout the Empire. 
That the name is not misapplied is proved by the 
record of appalling disaster which is the history of 
the river for generations. In 1899 the tale of 

163 



164 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

destruction and suffering was repeated with tenfold 
intensity, but the outside world was slow in learning 
of the disaster and of the sufiFering which followed. 
The first news came by way of San Francisco, 
brought by steamers from Hong Kong. It was supple- 
mented by letters from American missionaries in the 
Shantung province, where the greatest distress existed. 

American Consul Fowler, at Chefoo, sent out an 
appeal in behalf of the inundated population, in 
which he said: *' Hundreds of villages are submerged, 
cities surrounded by water, homes, furniture, cloth- 
ing, — in fact everything, — is under water or de- 
stroyed. The natives themselves are living in straw 
huts ; many have absolutely no shelter from the win- 
ter's cold and snow, subsisting on bark, willow twigs, 
roots and so forth. The crops have been a failure, 
the seed for the next sowing is gone, and there is 
nothing for these starving millions to hope for in 
the future." The State Department published the 
substance of the dispatches from the consuls and 
urged that aid be sent from this country to the 
sufferers. 

Dr. Klopsch at once telegraphed to Washington 
desiring to know the fullest details concerning the 
flood and famine, and offering in behalf of the read- 
ers of The Christian Herald to undertake the rais- 
ing of a cargo of corn if the need were really of the 
exceedingly urgent character represented. He would 
supply the cargo if the Government would utilize one 
of the United States transports about to leave for 
the Philippines. 

Secretary Hay replied that although the Govern- 



i 



CHINA'S SORROW 165 

ment had on several occasions aided in alleviating 
the suffering in various parts of the world by trans- 
portation of supplies contributed by the people of 
the United States, the employment of United States 
vessels for such purpose had usually been done under 
some special authority of law, and in the absence of 
authorization of Congress the State Department 
could not direct the employment of any public funds 
for the purpose of chartering a vessel to convey the 
offered relief to China. Secretary Hay, however, 
referred to the War and Navy Departments the 
suggestion that the relief supplies be transported 
in a United States vessel. The War and Navy 
Departments took the subject up, but as the trans- 
ports then in use for the Philippines were required 
for urgent national purposes it was found impossible 
to do anything. Dr. Klopsch later found ways for 
extending aid, but this famine in China was relieved 
earlier than had been anticipated, and the demand 
for help from the rest of the world did not become so 
pronounced. 

Within two years China was in the grip of another 
famine, which continued to grow and spread distress 
till the appeal for succor became too urgent to be 
resisted. 

In the spring of 1901 the newspapers began to 
receive intelligence of China's new calamity. A 
dispatch from Shanghai, under date of April 20th, 
gave the following succinct yet terrible picture of 
the conditions: "Shanghai, April 20: The famine in 
Shansi province is dreadful. Wheat is selling for 
.00 gold per 150 pounds." 



166 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

The Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage called on Wu Ting 
Fang at Washington to make inquiries on behalf of 
The Christian Herald, "There is a dreadful famine," 
Minister Wu told Dr. Talmage, "and it spreads all 
over a great area. A vast multitude are suffering 
for food, so many thousands that we cannot number 
them. The population is very dense." "Are imme- 
diate measures of relief practicable.'^" Dr. Talmage 
asked. "Yes," the Minister replied, "there is much 
foodstuff in the nearby districts which could be 
purchased and sent to the famine district if the 
means were available. These regions are accessible 
through Shanghai and other ports. Rice is the 
principal food of the inhabitants, and probably it 
could be secured in large quantities for distribution. 
Flour and other provisions also could be bought and 
distributed." 

The dispatches continued to give the world a 
glimpse of the new horror that had fallen on prostrate 
China. The provinces of Shansi and Shensi, with 
a population of 24 millions, were the centers of 
suffering, but the distress had spread to adjoining 
provinces. 

Dr. Klopsch's view of China's need was a broad one. 
The memory of the Boxer outbreaks and of the anti- 
foreign movement was still fresh in the minds of 
people. In an editorial in The Christian Herald he 
took his position as follows: 

"During all of the recent troubles in China our 
own nation has occupied a peculiar attitude toward 
that unhappy people. We alone have stood squarely 
upon the principle of international helpfulness, insist- 



CHINA'S SORROW 167 

ing that China should be succored and not despoiled. 
We wanted no territory. And we entered upon no 
campaign of conquest. We believed that the true 
way to impress upon China the advantages of a 
new and enlightened civilization was to heal her 
wounds, restore her self-respect, and set her securely 
in her own seat of judgment from which she could 
administer her own affairs. No nation save ours 
credited China's professions of a sincere purpose to 
put down the rebelhon and to punish the offenders. 
The result has shown her absolute sincerity. China 
trusts the United States because we first trusted 
China. She regards us as her truest, if not her only, 
friend among the nations. It is not surprising, then, 
that in the presence of the awful visitation of famine 
China should turn to America for aid. Our benevo- 
lence in India and elsewhere has been an object 
lesson to the Asiatic races. 

"There is another reason why China's appeal 
should not be allowed to pass unheeded, should 
further investigation show that she needs our help. 
At this time when our devoted missionaries are 
being so unjustly maligned and misrepresented it is 
well for Christian people to stand by them and give 
them the most cordial support and encouragement 
in their self-sacrificing labors. Deeds, not words, 
are the best answers to the maligners. Our mission- 
aries in India, as every one knows, rendered in the 
late famine noble, humanitarian service which won 
them the applause of the whole world. Our mis- 
sionaries in China, should the situation call for sim- 
ilar action, would doubtless demonstrate equally to 



168 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

friends and foes alike that they are true, self-denying 
followers of Him who went about doing good. 

"China needs our prayers, if she should need our 
help also, she should have it — and quickly." 

It was very soon evident that China did need our 
help, and needed it quickly. Li Hung Chang, the 
foremost official in China and the real head of affairs, 
who was know^n to people as one of the world's 
greatest statesmen, cabled through The Christian 
Herald a message to the American people. It was 
as follows: 

Government, Peking, 
April 25, 1901. 
Editor Christian Herald, New York. 

Very serious famine spreads over whole province Shansi. 
Over eleven million population affected. Urgent relief neces- 
sary. Conditions warrant immediate appeal. 

(Signed) Li Hung Chang. 
(Seal) 

A touching appeal was circulated in China by the 
Shansi officials. Among other things, it said: "All 
our brothers in the world should be very sorry for us 
and should know how unfortunate we are. We wish 
our people to share some of your money, which you 
spend amusing yourselves and for traveling and for 
dressing and for all kinds of comforts, to rescue these 
poor people. It is much better to save the starving 
and dying men, women and children here than to 
build a pagoda or temple or even a church, because 
from ten to twelve million people are suffering to 
death." 

Mr. E. H. Conger, the American Minister to China, 



CHINA'S SORROW 169 

was at this time in the United States. He tele- 
graphed a statement to The Christian Herald from 
Des Moines, Iowa. He said: "Li Hung Chang and 
Prince Ching both told me two or three days before 
I left Peking that people were literally eating each 
other. The Chinese people are able to live on almost 
nothing for a long time. Li Hung Chang told me 
that the Shansi people were eating the grass off the 
ground and the leaves off the trees and even the 
bark. They have eaten ah there was to be had, 
and are practically without anything to help now. 
Probably ten million people are affected by the fam- 
ine. Their condition is beyond description. They 
have had no rain for two years." Minister Conger 
accompanied his statement by a liberal contribution 
to The Christian Herald fund. 

Letters and telegrams came from American mission- 
aries in China, and from some who were home tem- 
porarily, telling the same story, and pointing out the 
necessity of immediate relief. They also explained 
that the Shansi people always had been friendly to 
the missionaries, and that Shansi w^as not a Boxer 
province. 

Dr. Klopsch within a short time had the complete 
organization of relief in operation. He communi- 
cated with the State Department in Washington and 
with Acting Minister Rockhill in Peking. His plan 
was to purchase supplies and send them from Shang- 
hai up the Yangtse to Wuhu, thence to Hankow, 
and up the Han River to the head of navigation 
in Shansi province. Mr. Rockhill replied by cable 
that he would see to the purchase and distribution 



170 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

of aid and that Li Hung Chang requested him to 
express to the organizer of the rehef his sincere thanks 
and also the thanks of the Shansi famine-stricken 
for American benevolent action. 

President McKinley was just starting on a long 
journey through the South and West. He was 
among the first to aid, not only by endorsing the 
relief movement of The Christian Herald^ but by 
personal contribution. The following telegram was 
received: 

President's Train, En Route, Virginia. 
April 29, 1901. 
Dr. Louis Klopsch, 

The Christian Herald, New York. 
The President is glad to hear you are endeavoring to raise a 
fund for the benefit of the sufferers in China. He hopes you 
may meet with the same success which you attained in similar 
good work for Cuba and India. He subscribed $100 for the 
fund. Please allow me to subscribe the same amount. 

(Signed) John Hay. 

Dr. Klopsch cabled a request to Acting Minister 
Rockhill that he form an emergency relief committee 
in which American missionaries should predominate, 
and of which he should be chairman. This was done, 
and the committee was composed as follows: Rev. 
Arthur H. Smith, of the American Board, Tientsin, 
Chairman; Rev. Irenas J. Atwood, American Board; 
Rev. E. H. Edwards, China Inland Mission; Rev. 
H. H. Lowrie, Methodist, Peking; Rev. M. B. 
Duncan, English Baptist Mission. The first remit- 
tance of $20,000 was cabled to this committee, and 
several of the members started at once for Shansi. 



CHINA'S SORROW 171 

The governor of Shansi sent an official escort to 
meet them. Word came that the news of The 
Christian Herald rehef work had spread far and wide 
in the famine districts, and the expectation of the 
starving multitudes had been raised to the highest 
point. Li Hung Chang cabled from Peking to the 
Chinese Minister in Washington, expressing his 
gratitude to the benevolent people of America who 
through The Christian Herald were raising the relief 
fund. 

From the native elders and deacons of the China 
Christian churches in Shanghai came a remarkable 
appeal. It was written in Chinese characters, and 
was translated by the Rev. F. C. H. Dryer, formerly 
missionary in that province. It was as follows: 

The calamities that have befallen the Chinese Christians 
have been very great. Their steadfastness has been severely 
tested. Many of the brethren, however, through God's mighty 
preserving power, are much more zealous than they were before. 
From this it is manifest that nothing man can do can separate 
the love of God. 

The suffering among all the Christians has been too great, 
for although they have escaped from within a step of death by 
the sword it has only been to meet with hunger and starvation. 
Not only are many in great want, but some have nothing to 
sustain life from day to day. Happily our Heavenly Father 
has bestowed mercy on us, for we have received letters from 
Shanghai and Peking informing us that an effort is being made 
to relieve our distress. 

Alas for our Shansi Christians, who are left as a flock of sheep 
without a shepherd. We do not for the moment speak of their 
souls, even their bodies we do not know how to save. We 
have now appointed eight brethren to help in the important 
matter of the distribution of reUef . 



172 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS EXOPSCH 

Please send quickly, that we may speedily deliver our breth- 
ren from their great and urgent distress. We hope that peace 
will soon be established and that the pastors will then be able 
to quickly return and organize the affairs of the church. We 
respectfully send our greetings of peace to all the missionaries. 

From brethren of whom you have entertained anxious 
thought. 

Written by lamplight, on the 15 th of the 11th Chinese Moon. 

Among other measures Dr. Klopsch decided to 
send a special commissioner on behalf of The Chris- 
tian Herald contributors to China. He chose for this 
purpose Mr. Francis H. Nichols, a brilliant young 
American journalist who had been a newspaper cor- 
respondent in Cuba during the war with Spain. Mr. 
Nichols was courageous and adventurous. He pro- 
ceeded at once to the scene of the famine and soon 
his vivid stories of the conditions there were received. 

Before leaving Peking Commissioner Nichols had 
an interview with Prince Ching, the military gover- 
nor, who, Li Hung Chang having in the meantime 
died, had become the leading factor in Chinese affairs. 

Mr. E. T. Williams, of the American Legation, 
was present and acted as interpreter. Among other 
incidents of the interview, Mr. Nichols gave this 
account: 

*' Prince Ching motioned us to chairs at the white 
tablecloth, while a servant brought in little silver 
cups full of tea and a plate of cakes. With a manner 
which had not in it a trace of stiffness or formality 
he began asking questions about the famine relief 
fund. 'Is this money that the American people 
have raised,' he asked, * the gift of a few men, or has 
it come from many sources .f^' I explained as best I 



CHINA'S SORROW 173 

could that the $60,000 forwarded to China's starving 
ones represented the Christian generosity and kind- 
liness of thousands of Americans. I told him that 
the homes of the givers covered a territory as vast 
as the Chinese Empire. 'And all of these have 
remembered China/ he said meditatively. * It is a 
splendid, generous act. On behalf of our people 
please convey to The Christian Herald my thanks. 
Words (and he pointed to his lips) can hardly express 
the gratitude I feel. This relief for the starving in 
China will go a long way tow ard binding us closer to 
the people of the United States. It is a friendship 
of many years,' he went on, 'between your country 
and mine. I really doubt if any other nation would 
have remembered us in our hour of need as the 
Americans have done.'" 

Commissioner Nichols forwarded graphic descrip- 
tions of his journey to the provinces of Shansi and 
Shensi. At that period the famine w^as more se- 
vere in the latter province. He wrote: "The first 
hundred of the six hundred miles that lie between 
Peking and Singan are accomplished by rail to 
Pao-ting Fu. To American eyes railroads in China 
are strangely and wonderfully made. Tickets are 
sold in the European method as first, second, and 
third class. The latter comprises the major part 
of the train, and consists of ordinary open flat-cars 
which do not differ in the least from those used for 
freight. There is scarcely any system of way-bills 
or shipment. The company assumes little risk on 
anything or anybody that passes over its lines. 

"After six hours jolting and bumping and the 
shouting of orders in Chinese, the train halted in 
front of a gray brick station. By means of three 



174 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

carts and numerous questions of the interpreter I 
finally succeeded in finding the residence of Rev. 
J. Walter Low, of the Presbyterian Board of Missions, 
to whom I had a letter of introduction from Dr. 
Arthur Smith, head of the famine relief work. In 
a little compound I found him; a superb illustration 
of the sort of thing which a true missionary of the 
Cross sometimes encounters in a heathen land. In 
a town of 35,000 Mr. Low is at present the only 
English-speaking person. A Princeton graduate and 
an extremely cultivated and charming man, Mr. Low 
is leading a life of lonely self-sacrifice amid the 
scenes where former friends and co-laborers died 
for the faith." 

After describing his hospitable entertainment by 
Mr. Low, Commissioner Nichols continued the ac- 
count of his journey. A system of relay patrols 
of Chinese soldiers had been established by agree- 
ment with the foreign governments in Peking for 
the sole purpose of escorting and protecting foreign 
travelers. He resumed his story of the journey: 

''Our patrol started from the door of the Tingchu 
Yamen, and rode slightly in advance through the 
gates in the city wall on the road towards the south- 
west. Each man carried a Mannlicher rifle, and wore 
the red blouse of the Chinese Army. Big, strapping 
fellows they were, on stocky, rugged ponies. Their 
pigtails were curled up under black silk turbans, 
and their faces were bronzed and reddened by the 
sun, so that they looked far more like North Ameri- 
can Indians than like Mongolians. Their manner, 
too, was like that of Indians. They sat very erect 



CHINA'S SORROW 175 

in the saddle and maintained a taciturn silence, 
except when the leader would occasionally smile 
and ask if the foreigners were comfortable. The 
reply he received was always affirmative, although 
compared with a Pullman sleeping car, traveling in 
China is not of the happiest. 

*'In a literal sense all north China is covered with 
the dust of ages. It gets in your eyes and ears and 
nose and forms a thick coating on your hair and 
clothes. A Chinese road is only the space between 
the fields which is not under cultivation. The fields 
are cared for and are reasonably smooth, but the 
road is neither. Just before dark we came to 
a massive brick archway that spanned the road. 
Under it stood a bare-headed man in a black gown, 
who violently gesticulated to the chief of our patrol. 
The substance of what he had to say was that we had 
reached Sinlo, and that quarters had been assigned 
to us in the village inn, to which we were escorted 
by a motley, chattering crowd. 

"The inn is a one-story mud building. The floors 
are of clay and the chairs are kept from falling 
to pieces by bits of twine. The mandarin of Sinlo 
called a few minutes after we had settled down to 
the polyglot dinner, that included sharks' fins, lotus 
seeds, and American canned sausages. The man- 
darin came in a sedan chair, and was preceded 
by a score of servants carrying paper lanterns. He 
was a stout, good-natured, rural Chinaman, who 
asked all sorts of questions about the United States 
as we sipped our tea together." 

From Tai Yuen, the capital of the province of 



176 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Shansi, Commissioner Nichols wrote giving an accu- 
rate presentation of the conditions of a part of 
China rarely reached by white travelers, and told 
of the splendid results accomplished by the famine 
fund. He reached there late in October 1901. Part 
of his letter to The Christian Herald is as follow^s: 

"Across the sun-baked plains of Chili, past ter- 
races of budding millet and corn, past crumbling 
temples, across rivers and through mountain passes, 
we have traveled for the last ten days to this ancient 
capital of remote Shansi. Everywhere, as the rep- 
resentative of The Christian Herald famine fund, I 
have been received with the utmost courtesy and 
outspoken expressions of gratitude from the Chinese 
officials, and at times my progress has taken on 
almost the form of an ovation. 

"Nothing could be more polite than the treat- 
ment accorded me by the mandarins. If I wanted an 
extra pony for the day's stage I always received it. 
If donkies had to be substituted for the heavy, 
lumbering cart over the mountain roads all I had 
to do was to ask for them and I found them waiting 
in the courtyard at daybreak next morning. The 
traveler across north China must inevitably become 
an adept at mandarin *good form.' It is a com- 
plicated system of conduct, so absolutely the reverse 
of Occidental customs that one has to guard himself 
carefully in order not to make embarrassing mistakes. 
When the traveler calls on the mandarin he must 
send his servant ahead with his card, and then wait 
at the gates of the official residence until they are 
opened with slamming and shouting. The mandarin 




MOBBING A FOOD DISTRIBUTOR IN CHINA 




A TYPICAL FAMINE-STRICKEN FAMILY AT SUCHIEN, CHINA 



CHINA'S SORROW 177 

stands at his doorway waiting to receive his guest, 
and escorts him to a chair at the left of a table. 
Two cups of tea are filled, being a little feast which 
must be eaten before the object of the visit can be 
discussed. When the call is returned the process 
is reversed. The stranger in the village goes no 
further than the doorway to meet the mandarin, 
but sends his servants to help him alight from his 
sedan chair. Once seated on opposite sides of the 
little table it is the height of rudeness for the foreign 
host to stand up or change his position for one 
moment until the mandarin rises to leave. 

"There is a remarkable uniformity in Chili villages. 
At the entrance of almost every one is a corn mill. 
A flat stone, two or three feet in diameter, is sup- 
ported on three posts. Through the center is an 
upright wooden spindle around which revolves the 
heavy stone roller. The mill is usually operated by a 
woman, who spreads the com on the flat stone and 
then walks around it pushing the roller as she goes. 
Her cramped feet make her hobble painfully as she 
walks, and must add greatly to the difficulty of her 
task, but she looks perfectly contented and smiles 
at the passer-by. 

"At the town of Shau-Yang The Christian Herald 
Commissioner was met by an old official and fifteen 
Chinese soldiers, each carrying the colors of the dif- 
ferent regiments stationed in that prefecture. The 
procession was preceded by two heralds making an 
election night noise on two brass horns. They kept 
up a persistent tooting all the time I was eating my 
canned soup and ham at the inn, and then escorted 



178 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

me on my way as far as the city gate, when the 
official made a graceful little speech in which he 
thanked the American people for not having hatred 
towards China. 

"The last fifty miles is over a sandy plateau dotted 
with mud-walled towns and villages; then through 
a gate in a massive wall and the traveler is in the 
capital of Shansi. Tai Yuen was founded about 
500 B.C. Its population is estimated at 40,000. Its 
walls and gates are great wooden structures. They 
are similar to those in Peking. As in all China's 
cities, the streets are small, dusty lanes between 
rows of one-story houses. Tai Yuen is one of the 
most important places in north China. The roads 
to Mongolia on the north and Kanshu on the west 
radiate from it. It is the headquarters of the intri- 
cate Chinese banking system of Shansi, and is the 
market for all the products of the province. On 
many of the walls one sees today a proclamation 
from the governor. It is a eulogy of the paper called 
The Christian Herald and the generosity of Ameri- 
cans in sending money into starving north China." 

In other letters Mr. Nichols gave further informa- 
tion about the people of remote Shansi and the vast 
benefit that The Christian Herald relief had been to 
the starving population when the famine was at 
its height. 

He also visited the province of Shensi. An ad- 
vance relief expedition had gone to Shensi under 
the personal charge of Dr. Moyer Duncan, who was 
appointed by the Missionary Relief Committee in 
Tientsin; and Dr. Duncan wrote from Hsi-An-Fu 



CHINA'S SORROW 179 

in November, 1901, an account of his experiences. 
A part of his letter is as follows : 

Early in June it was doubtful whether it would be possible 
to distribute any relief in this province, which suffered most 
from the famine that swept the northwest provinces. The 
committee that was formed by the Rev. Dr. Arthur Smith 
allotted a portion of The Christian Herald fund to Shensi on 
the understanding that its administration must be imdertaken 
only by foreigners. The ambassadors gave permission to 
go into the interior if the Chinese were friendly and the way 
opened out. 

On the 26th of August Major Pereire, Dr. Jacob Smith and 
myself reached the western capital. We were well received, 
as we had been protected and cared for all along the route. 
An imperial edict had been issued that we were going to dis- 
tribute relief, and commanding all officials to treat us with 
respect. Some twenty-six officials in all actively assisted us. 
There were seventeen Christian leaders and teachers, and four 
foreigners: Dr. J. A. C. Smith of the Baptist Missionary 
Society; Mr. A. Trudinger of the China Inland Mission; 
Mr. Tjader of the Swedish Mission to China; and myself. 
The distributors were international and interdenominational, 
and the Chinese recipients were Confucians, Buddhists, Taoists, 
Mohammedans and Christians. It is satisfactory to know that 
at least 90 to 95% of those assisted were the poorest and most 
destitute. The rehef was distributed personally by the for- 
eigners to the parties relieved. 

Mr. Nichols, writing from Sian, gave a very vivid 
account of the way Shensi was succored. He wrote : 
*' Shensi is desolate. More than two and a half 
millions of men, women and children, 30 per cent 
of the entire population, have died of hunger or the 
diseases which followed it. In the centers of distress 
the survivors have sold everything from the roofs of 



180 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

their houses to their children in order to buy food. 
Shensi is the oldest province in China. Ask any 
Chinaman when the history of Shensi began and he 
will reply, 'Soon after the world was made.' 

''The province of Shensi is isolated. It has to 
depend for what it eats entirely upon its own fields. 
It is impossible to bring enough food from without 
to the people of the province to feed them. But 
Shensi is as a rule a productive province, and in 
ordinarily good seasons there is enough and to spare 
for every one. On the sides of the Shensi mountains 
it is hard to find a square foot from base to summit 
which is not covered with terraces under cultivation. 
The chief article of food is wheat, and by a system 
of fertilizing, the land is made to yield three crops of 
it a year. Millet and buckwheat are also products 
of the terraces, and in the bottom lands of the rivers 
some rice is raised. 

"Soon after the hunger cloud had settled down over 
Shensi the Chinese officials organized measures for 
relief. Appeals for money were sent to all parts of 
the empire. In the middle of May came the longed- 
for rain. It was sufficient to insure an autumn 
harvest, but that was still five months away. The 
end of the famine was in sight, but horrors were not 
yet abated. By this time the enormous Chinese 
relief funds were exhausted. This was the state of 
affairs when Moyer B. Duncan, of The Christian 
Herald foreign relief committee, arrived in Sian. 

"The last distribution of The Christian Herald 
relief fund to the destitute of Sian took place during 
my stay there. As one of the mandarins said to me 



CHINA'S SORROW 181 

when it was over, *Few of these people ever heard of 
America before this famine relief began. They will 
always remember it as the land of The Christian 
Heraldr' 

By the time that word was received of the results 
accomplished in Shansi and Shensi the collection of 
the funds in the United States had been closed be- 
cause it was evident that the cloud was lifting. Dr. 
Klopsch had devoted the later contributions to the 
relief of Shensi. In due time he published his usual 
summary of the amounts received and distributed. 
For the first China famine a total of $128,280.68 had 
been expended. It had been a magnificent relief 
for the starving millions of the remote provinces of 
China made possible by the generosity of the Ameri- 
can people. 



CHAPTER XI 



FURTHER FAMINES IN CHINA 

SUCCORING THE DISTRESS IN 1903 — FOOD FLOTILLA — THE BLACK HUNGER 
CLOUD IN 1906 — OVERFLOW OP THE GRAND CANAL — PRESIDENT ROOSE- 

VELT's CHRISTMAS APPEAL THE "CHRISTIAN HERALD " CONTRIBUTIONS 

ACCOUNTS FROM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ELLIS OF MILLIONS STARVING — 

THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY ROOT CONTRIBUTE DR. KLOPSCH PROVIDES 

CARGO FOR THE "bUFORD" — SECRETARY TAFT SPEAKS FOR THE RED CROSS 
— RELIEF ship's DEPARTURE FROM SAN FRANCISCO — SPECIAL COMMISSIONER 

Johnstone's story op the distribution — official ceremonies — mis- 
sionaries* ACTIVITIES — FINANCIAL SUMMARY — PERMANENT EFFECTS — 
PROVISION FOR THE ORPHANS — TRIBUTE FROM THE RED CROSS. 

IN the vast domain of the Celestial Empire 
plenty may obtain in one section, while the 
crops may be a failure in another district and 
scarcity cause suffering to large numbers of people. 
This frequently happens, and sometimes it can 
hardly be said that from year to year the old Empire 
is free from hunger. In the spring of 1903, while 
the northern provinces had good crops and were 
able to take care of themselves, there was suffering 
in the south. The crops were a failure in Kwang 
Si province and more than a million natives were 
without food. The American Minister and the con- 
sular officers in China reported the conditions to the 
Department of State, and aid was asked for the 
Kwang Si sufferers. The missionaries sent similar 
reports and also appealed for aid. 

The Department of State made the reports public, 
and supplied Dr. Klopsch with fuller information. 

182 



FURTHER FAMINES IN CHINA 183 

Without delay he cabled $5,000 to American Consul- 
General McWade at Canton, and supplemented it 
shortly by another remittance for $10,000. A reply 
came, addressed to the State Department, as follows: 

"Canton, June 7, 1903. 
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C: 

" Viceroy Te Sou asked me to transmit through you 
to The Christian Herald his profound and heart-felt 
gratitude for the donation of $10,000 to starving 
Kwang Si. It was urgently needed. He says it 
is an added proof of America's friendship and 
sympathy for China. I am vigorously preparing a 
second American relief expedition." 

Further contributions were made by The Christian 
Herald readers and the funds forwarded so that 
the relief expedition was carried out. The United 
States naval vessels Monterey and Callao, which 
were then in Chinese waters, assisted in the work. 
The Rev. John E. Fee wrote from Kwaiping, which 
was the center of distribution: 

The distribution will be made in the usual systematic and 
impartial manner, and will be under the supervision of Ameri- 
can missionaries, and the literati, gentries and officials of the 
stricken districts. The Rev. A. J. Fisher, of the American 
Presbyterian Mission, will be on one of the relief boats, and will 
be met at Wuchou by the Rev. H. K. Shumaker, of the United 
Brothers in Christ Mission, and the Rev. J. E. Fee of the 
American Presbyterian Mission. His Excellency the Viceroy 
Te Sou will furnish a strong steam launch to tow the rehef 
boats up the West River. I will ask Lieut. Anderson of the 
U. S. S. Callao to escort them up to Wu, where His Excellency 
Wong Chih Chung, Governor of Kwang Si, will have boats and 



184 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

small launches ready to convey the rice to the places where it 
is most needed. All of the relief boats will carry American 
flags and banners with inscriptions in the Chinese language 
stating that the rice has been bought for the relief of the starv- 
ing natives with American donations raised by The Christian 
Herald of New York. 

Later more complete details of the famine flotilla 
were published. Consul-General McWade wrote 
a full report to the Department of State. Among 
other things, he said: "I have the honor to sug- 
gest that copies of these dispatches be forwarded 
to The Christian Herald for publication. The con- 
tributions of the readers of that excellent journal 
for the relief of the famine-stricken sufl'erers have 
undoubtedly been the means of saving many thou- 
sands of human lives. I desire to join the poor 
sufferers in appreciative gratitude of The Christian 
Herald's abounding charity." 

Commander Anderson of the U. S. S. Callao wrote 
to the Consul-General from Hong Kong enclosing a 
letter from Midshipman Sterling in regard to the 
conveying of the American relief expedition from 
Canton to Sam Shui. This letter also showed how 
practical the work of relief had been and how thor- 
oughly it was appreciated by the starving people of 
the province. 

The benevolence of The Christian Herald had per- 
manent results, not all of which were restricted 
to famine. The Rev. Charles Beals, of Wuhu, early 
in 1904 wrote a description of a journey up the 
Chao River in the missionary house-boat which 
was bought by the gifts of its readers. The boat 



FURTHER FAMINES IN CHINA 185 

reached the Huang-Lo-Ho district, wh^ch had been 
relieved by The Christian Herald during the flood 
two years previously. The evidences of gratitude 
were still made manifest in many ways. 

In 1906 the black cloud of one of the great 
famines swept over central China. The floods in 
Kiangsu and Anhwei provinces were phenomenal. 
The whole plain west of the Grand Canal, in places 
100 miles wide and more than 200 miles long, was 
flooded. The crops stood under water till they 
rotted. On some of the rice fields the waters did 
not abate for more than a month, the Grand Canal 
and the lakes running together. 

A relief committee was organized in Shanghai, 
and an appeal was sent out to all the world. Official 
reports were received by the State Department at 
Washington from the American Minister and from 
the consular officers. These showed that the worst 
tales of suffering but feebly told the real story, 
and that immediate relief was imperative. The 
flooded area covered 40,000 square miles, which 
usually supported fifteen million persons. 

President Roosevelt in Christmas week of 1906 
issued a proclamation giving the facts and appealing 
to the American people. This proclamation stated 
that the crops had been destroyed by floods, that 
millions of people were on the verge of starvation, 
that thousands of dwellings had been destroyed and 
their inmates left without homes. '*Our people," 
said President Roosevelt in the proclamation, **have 
often under similar conditions of distress in other 
countries generously responded to such appeals. 



186 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Amid our abounding prosperity and in this holiday 
season of good will to men assuredly we should do 
our part to aid the unfortunate and relieve the 
distress among the people of China to whom we 
have been allied for so many years in friendship 
and kindness." 

Responding to the President's appeal. Dr. Klopsch 
in behalf of his readers immediately sent to the 
State Department at Washington a certified cheek 
for $5,000 to be applied to the work of relief. A 
contribution of $1,000 was also sent to the treasurer 
of a missionary committee at Chinkiang. "Let 
us hope," said an editorial in The Christian Herald, 
in telling of these contributions, "that the Chinese 
famine may not be of long duration and that con- 
ditions may so speedily improve that serious loss 
of life will be averted." 

This hope was futile. News continued to come of 
the spread of the famine and of the people of China 
dying of hunger by the thousands. Dr. Klopsch 
therefore decided to respond to the appeal by organ- 
izing a complete relief movement. The news was 
that 15 millions of human beings in five provinces 
were affected. Of these, 8 millions had lost most of 
their property, including buildings and food supplies. 
All live stock had been either sold or eaten. Four 
million people were absolutely destitute. Nine cities 
were surrounded by famine camps containing an 
aggregate of 800,000 starving refugees who had been 
compelled to abandon their own wrecked and deso- 
late homes. 

William T. Ellis, a traveling correspondent of 



FURTHER FAMINES IN CHINA 187 

The Christian Herald, happened to be in China, and 
he, after visiting the relief committee at Shanghai, 
wrote to Dr. Klopsch that he was there at the 
beginning of the most awful famine modern China 
had known. He proposed to go straight to the 
famine districts. This he did, and his letters pre- 
sented a most vivid picture of the conditions that 
the American people were seeking to relieve. Writ- 
ing from Chinkiang, Mr. Ellis said: "Milhons starv- 
ing. The reader cannot imagine it. Neither can I, 
though I write within earshot of an encampment of 
30,000 refugees whose thin, pitiful wail for help has 
been in my ears all day, although even that has 
been less eloquent than the gaunt and haggard pairs 
of pale, yellow and thin, trembling, outstretched 
hands. 

"Oh those hands! I shudder as I see them 
stretched out in vain, for one dare not give a dole 
of a penny lest he be literally mobbed by the shiver- 
ing, famished creatures. For a single almoner to 
try to fill even a few of these hands is impossible; 
only the united charity of men and women through- 
out Christendom who love their brother men can 
avail in this awful crisis. 

"What I have seen today suggests a vision of 
a line of beseeching hands — all the suflFerers of 
this bitter famine ranged in a row, miles and tens 
of miles and scores of miles and hundreds of miles 
long. Such thin, trembling hands, many of them 
are! The old, old women, almost too feeble to 
stand, gazing at you hollow-eyed while their hands 
are extended in mute appeal — to think that the 



188 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS BXOPSCH 

mothers of men and the mothers of mothers of men 
should anywhere come to this! Equally moving 
are the sick, stretched out on the bare ground, 
unable to rise, just feebly motioning for the succor 
that you cannot give. 

*'And the babies! How the cry of the children 
must go up before God! Wan little figures, some 
of them living skeletons, which mothers hold forth 
in tragic and mute appeal. Usually the poor little 
creatures are held close to the bare breasts of their 
mothers for the sake of a little warmth. 

''Incidents could be piled upon incidents. Every 
one of these 30,000 refugees incarnates a story, a 
story of a home abandoned; of toilsome journey to 
this southern district in the hope of finding a pit- 
tance of food to allay that awful gnawing of hunger; 
of the eager hunt for shelter in a doorway; of being 
driven from spot to spot until at last a few feet 
of bare earth are secured out among the graves 
with the other refugees, — a space no bigger than a 
Chinese grave suffices for an entire family; of the 
daily and nightly huddling together in one mass 
for the sake of human warmth; of the search for 
dry grass with which to make a tiny fire; of the 
morning struggle for a portion of the government 
rice, and of that indescribable, terrible, primitive 
dole between life and starvation which the Chinese 
so often endure." ^' 

Correspondent Ellis wrote other vivid pictures 
of the famine camps and of how the relief from 
America was welcomed by the stricken millions. 

Meantime The Christian Herald was cabling re- 



FURTHER FAMINES IN CHINA 189 

mittance after remittance, until the total exceeded 
$100,000. President Roosevelt and Secretary Root 
gave the movement their hearty endorsement, and 
added their personal contributions to The Christian 
Herald fund. These were conveyed in the follow- 
ing letter: 

Department of State, Washington. 
February 1, 1907. 
Dear Dr. Klopsch: The President has asked me to say 
to you that he is much interested in your work to raise funds 
for the sufferers by the present dreadful famine in China. 
He hopes that you will meet the same success that you have 
had in similar appeals to the humanity and liberality of our 
people. 

As a contribution to the fimd he has handed me his check for 
$100, which I enclose, together with a similar check of my own. 
With best wishes, I am 

Very sincerely yours, 

(Signed) Elihu Root. 

While continuing to cable cash remittances, other 
practical means of relief were also organized. The 
Christian Herald through Dr. Klopsch made an offer 
to the Government to furnish a cargo of 5,000 tons 
of food stuffs for the Chinese, provided a relief ship 
would be supplied by the Government to carry 
the cargo. The offer was accepted and the army 
transport Buford was assigned to this duty, it being 
placed at the disposal of the National Red Cross 
Society for the purpose of carrying The Christian 
Herald cargo to China. An official announcement 
was issued by the State Department saying that 
the assignment of the transport for this purpose was 
made at the request of Dr. Klopsch. 



190 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

The Buford was at the wharf in San Francisco, and 
arrangements were rapidly carried forward to supply 
the cargo of 5,000 tons of American flour. Edward 
H. Harriman, of the Union Pacific system, and 
Marvin Hughitt, of the Chicago and Northwest- 
ern, donated to the famine fund free transpor- 
tation over their lines from Minneapolis to San 
Francisco up to 1,000 tons of flour. The balance of 
the cargo was purchased in San Francisco through 
the Commissary-General of the War Department, 
and paid for by The Christian Herald fund. 

In the meantime came evidences of appreciation 
of the life-saving work. The American National Red 
Cross made its acknowledgments through Secretary 
Taft of the War Department in the following letter: 

*'The American National Red Cross, 
War Department, 
Washington, D. C, April 23, 1907. 
"My Dear Dr. Klopsch: In the name of the 
American National Red Cross may I express to you, 
and through you to the contributors of The Christian 
Herald Chinese famine fund, the thanks and deep 
appreciation of the Society for the great work their 
most generous contributions made to that fund have 
accomplished in the relief of the starving multitudes 
in China. Without the great sum raised by The 
Christian Herald, and the bountiful cargo of the 
Buford provided by it, thousands of these poor 
people would have perished; but, saved by these 
merciful gifts, they can now live until their own fields 
provide the needed harvests. 
Yours sincerely, 

(Signed) William H. Taft, 
President of the American Red Cross,'* 



FURTHER FAMINES IN CHINA 191 

About the same time the State Department, 
through Acting Secretary Bacon, acknowledged the 
receipt of $50,000 to be cabled to the American 
Consul-General at Shanghai, so that $50,000 was 
available ia China in a single day. 

The Buford sailed from San Francisco on April 
30. Special services were held at the dock in the 
morning, and were impressive and enthusiastic 
throughout. On the platform were many officials of 
prominence, including the governor of the state, and 
also many representative ministers. Mr. E. R. John- 
stone, who was to accompany the vessel to China as 
the special representative of The Christian Herald, 
was also present. The Rev. Frank DeWitt Talmage 
presided, and made a brief address. He concluded, 
"May God bless the Buford in her mission of mercy. 
Standing here today in the presence of the gover- 
nor of this commonwealth, and the president of our 
largest university, and the bishop of our largest 
Episcopal diocese, and the representatives of the 
Catholic and the Protestant churches, all of whom 
have contributed to this fund, we are here to ask a 
divine blessing upon the Buford, this new messenger 
of peace of America's international policies. May 
God bless the President of the United States and his 
great Secretary, and all who have contributed to 
this noble service of saving the physical lives of the 
dying men and women and children of poor, suffering, 
starving China." 

Mr. E. R. Johnstone, on behalf of The Christian 
Herald, thanked the audience for its interest and 
sympathy in the reUef work. He read a communi- 



19^ LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

cation from Dr. Klopsch thanking the people of this 
Christian land of ours and our sympathetic Govern- 
ment for all the loving kindness, cordial cooperation, 
and generous sympathy that they had shown toward 
the starving people of China. The communication 
concluded: "I send my earnest prayers and best 
wishes for the Buford, her officers and crew (God 
bless them, one and all), and for a speedy and pros- 
perous conclusion of her mission of mercy." 

President Wheeler, of the University of California, 
Bishop William Ford Nichols, Governor Gillett and 
ex-Mayor Phelan, on behalf of the Red Cross, also 
spoke, all of them expressing gratitude for the great 
assistance rendered by The Christian Herald and 
its readers to the life-saving campaign in famine- 
stricken China. 

"My Country, 'tis of Thee," was then sung by the 
audience, after which Dr. Frank DeWitt Talmage 
invoked the divine blessing upon the cargo. With 
the singing of the Doxology the exercises closed. 

Half an hour after noon, amid the cheers of the 
spectators and the stirring music of the band, the 
Buford steamed away from her dock and out towards 
the Pacific, The Christian Herald relief flag stream- 
ing out as she moved down the bay. Among her 
passengers were twenty-five members of Congress 
and their wives, who were going to Honolulu, which 
was to be the first port of call. 

"It was ten o'clock on the morning of Memorial 
Day," wrote Special Commissioner Johnstone, "that 
the United States army transport Buford dropped 
her anchor on the edge of the Yang-tse. We were 



FURTHER FAMINES IN CHINA 193 

31 days out from San Francisco, and with stoppage 
for coal at Honolulu and Nagasaki had covered more 
than 2,000 leagues of ocean. 

"First we were boarded by the brisk little gig bear- 
ing a customs officer, and then by Rev. T. F. McCrea, 
a missionary of the Southern Baptist church, and 
Mr. M. J. Walker, agent of the English Bible Society, 
representatives of the missionary committee. With 
them was an aide of Yung, Taotai or governor of 
Ching Kiang and the surrounding contiguous dis- 
tricts. 

''In a few moments after the Buford's arrival 
the single-masted, lateen-sailed junks began to sur- 
round the steamer and to take up positions along her 
white sides. To foreign ears it was confusion worse 
confounded. The boatmen yelled, sang, wrangled, 
laughed, and ran to and fro in utter abandonment. 
But somehow out of confusion came a semblance of 
order and by three in the afternoon gangs of coolies, 
each under the supervision of a boss, and all under 
the eyes of the missionaries — Walker, McLane, 
Napier, and Lampton — had made a break in the 
cargo and were unloading from four ports, two on 
each side of the ship. 

"Without announcement and only four hours after 
our arrival at Ching Kiang, Taotai Yung, accom- 
panied by his chief magistrate and harbor master 
and a retinue of servants, came on board to make 
an official call upon the representative of The Chris- 
tian Herald. Yung is a Manchu, and large and 
imposing, as I have found all northerners of rank 
to be. He wears a sparse moustache, has a dignified 



194 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

courtesy and a pleasant smile that are most fetch- 
ing, and he was cordiality itself. Mr. Walker acted 
as interpreter, and the conversation ran about in 
this wise: 

Myself: "Your Excellency, I come as representative of 
The Christian Herald, and those who through that paper have 
been instrumental in sending $450,000 in gold or its worth in 
suppHes to your stricken and starving people, and to tell you 
that American hearts are full of sympathy for you and your 
people in their distress. They are glad to give of their substance 
to reheve your need. They are glad to show their feehng of 
brotherhood.*' 

The Taotai: (Rising and bowing three times with hands 
clasped in an arch above his breast in Chinese salutation) "I 
am unworthy, unworthy. I am honored by what you say and 
by your representative presents. From mind and heart I tell 
you thanks. I charge you convey to The Christian Herald 
particularly, and to the Americans generally, my warmest 
gratitude and that of all my people. We will never forget what 
you have done. We will remember while Ufe lasts this great 
ship, its cargo of food, and what it means to the starving. I 
am unworthy. I am honored." 

"All this was said in sincerest fashion, and with a 
dignity that added great impressiveness." 

Letters were written by Mr. Johnstone from vari- 
ous districts up the Grand Canal. From Huian he 
wrote: "Two hours ago I saw the first sack of 
Buford flour delivered to a starving applicant. It 
was a man, gray-haired, gaunt, grateful, if grave eyes 
filled with new light, joined palms lifted in salute, 
meant aught. The second sack went to a withered 
crone with half a dozen mouths to feed; the third 
to a girl not more than twelve and barely able to 



FURTHER FAMINES IN CHINA 195 

shoulder and carry away the half hundredweight of 
life-saving food. 

*'It was from the deck of one of the three junks 
towed with infinite difficulty from Ching Kiang that 
the delivery was made. It was supervised by Rev. 
H. M. Woods, a missionary of twenty-five years' 
service in China and whose house is in the center of 
Huian, a prominent walled city of 150,000 people 
situated on the Grand Canal, at the southern edge 
of the famine district, and for months a principal 
distributing point for American relief. Dr. Woods 
was assisted by Messrs. Brown and Espey, young 
missionary volunteers from Shanghai who for months 
have undergone physical hardships, mental distress, 
dangers from violence and disease in order that they 
might save lives. The junk with 1,380 sacks of 
Christian Herald flour was moored on the west bank 
of the Grand Canal. To the left and on top of the 
bank was a Buddhist temple, and through a narrow 
stockade, built to keep away the importunate 
crowds and leading into the temple court, passed 
long lines of coolies bearing the cargo of sacks from 
another junk. In the very storeroom in which the 
pile of flour sacks rose was a glass-covered niche 
from which beamed a placid Buddha. 

"Very soon after breakfast the chief official of the 
city and district, magistrate Sun, a handsome young 
nobleman, paid me an official call. Sun and Yung 
Chang, head of the district telegraph service, who 
accompanied him, were profuse in their expressions 
of gratitude to the donors of the flour; asked me to 
send their message of thanks to America, and said 



196 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

the kindness of our people would always bloom fresh 
in Chinese hearts as showing brotherhood of a prac- 
tical sort. 

"The deeper I get into the stricken region, the 
more I see and hear of the relief work, the prouder 
I am of my Americanism, the gladder over the 
generosity of The Christian Herald readers. I have 
said little or nothing of the horrors of the famine- 
stricken region. I shall not descant upon them. 
God knows they are real enough, affecting enough, 
terrible enough. Within the last few days I have 
seen more emaciation than you could find in the 
United States from one end to the other, I believe. 
It is impossible to conceive, much less describe, 
conditions in these densely populated centers." 

From Tsing Kiang Pu, a city of 140,000 inhabi- 
tants, Mr. Johnstone wrote a further account. 
The name means "Bank of the clear river." It is 
a point where the Grand Canal is first broken by 
lakes and from which trends the great road to 
Peking, 500 miles or more away to the northward, 
that for tens of centuries has been the main traveled 
highway for the busy myriads of the great provinces 
along the sea. 

"I rode out to see an old canal some three 
miles off," said Mr. Johnstone, "in redigging which 
the missionaries had given employment to some 4,700 
refugees. The Rev. A. D. Rice, who had charge of 
the workers, accompanied me. Our way ran through 
thousands and thousands of the conical graves which 
take up so much available land in this country. 
Here and there were tombs of priests with impos- 




^^f*J.ifc: 






THE U. S. TROOPSHIP BUFORD, ^\JIICIL CARRIED RELIEF 

TO CHINA 




rXLOADIXG THE BUFORD' S CARGO 



FURTHER FAMINES IN CHINA 197 

ing headstones and circumscribing groves of stunted 
pines. But earth was the usual weir of the dead, 
each cone for all the world Hke the ant hills of 
inner Africa, surmounted by a clay image of a hat, 
sometimes fashioned hke the bishop's mitre, again 
like an hour glass, or rarely spherical with the 
mortar board of the student over-topping all. Here 
and there were fresh graves into which were thrust 
bamboo splints wrapped with paper. If the paper 
was smooth it was noted that the deceased has left 
as many children as there were sticks. If rough, 
grandchildren were indicated. I passed one with 
five smooth paper sticks, and seven with rough. 
'That will be an honored ancestry indeed,' said Mr. 
Rice; 'she will have many to worship her now that 
she is dead and throned in the Chinese heaven, or 
so her descendants believe.' Everywhere were evi- 
dences of careful husbandry. Most of the small 
farms were in wheat, and the yield was wretched. 
Bugs and worms and drought had cut the crop 
into half or less of the usual output. In scores of 
places a small ox was dragging a corrugated cylinder 
of stone across a threshing floor that might have 
been left bodily from the Palestine of the days of 
Solomon." 

Commissioner Johnstone continued to visit the 
various relief stations and send accounts of the 
good work that was done in the distribution of 
the Buford's cargo. He also forwarded a very 
interesting description of his interview with Tuan 
Fang, the lord of 80 millions, the great Chinese 
Viceroy. 



198 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Tuan Fang's kingdom stretches for more than a 
thousand miles north and south and is full five hun- 
dred broad at its narrowest. It embraces the great 
province of Kiang Su, which borders the eastern sea, 
and is probably the richest, as it certainly has the 
most learned men of the Empire. 

"Tuan Fang," wrote Mr. Johnstone, "is a Man- 
chu. He turned to where I was seated on his right 
and said, 'I greet you with deep respect and grati- 
tude, in that you have come so many thousands 
of miles to bring flour to my hungry people. I 
feel, Sir, (placing his hand on his heart) to my 
deepest being how kind The Christian Herald and 
Dr. Klopsch, its editor, have been. They have won 
the gratitude not only of the Chinese people, but of 
China's officials, and their thoughtfulness will never 
be forgotten. It is wonderful what they have done.' 

"I replied that Americans in general, and The 
Christian Herald in particular, were glad to give 
tangible evidence of their high regard and sympathy 
for the Chinese. Again the Viceroy expressed deep 
gratitude. Ere we finally made our adieus, the Viceroy 
said: 'I much regret that my illness will prevent my 
giving you a feast as I had intended, nor can I return 
the visit with which you have honored and pleased 
me. I wish for you all and for Dr. Klopsch, your 
famiKes and to all who gave toward the flour, health 
and prosperity. May you have a safe voyage home 
and be able to tell your people of our gratitude and 
praise.'" 

When it became clear that all which was possible 
for the relief of the famine-stricken people of China 



FURTHER FAMINES IN CHINA 199 

in the way of collecting funds and sending food had 
been done, and that the new harvest would be suf- 
ficient to sustain the population, the collection of 
money and supplies was discontinued. In due time 
the usual certified, audited statement was rendered 
by Dr. Klopsch. It showed a total of receipt of the 
second Chinese famine fund, under the auspices of 
The Christian Herald, of $427,323.91. Of the cash 
remittances $175,000 was made through the State 
Department, and $75,000 direct through the Ameri- 
can National Red Cross. The cost of the flour pur- 
chased for the Buford was $110,000, and the railway 
freight for transporting it to San Francisco, which 
was donated, was $40,000. The detailed statement 
showed that there had been 149,000 separate con- 
tributions to the fund. Balance, aggregating $112,- 
833.52, was transferred to the support of orphans of 
the famine in the care of numerous missionaries. 

In presenting the audited statement of receipts 
and expenditures Dr. Klopsch, in an editorial in The 
Christian Herald, described it as the "glorious work 
in China." Appreciation came from the Shanghai 
relief committee. Edward S. Little, the chairman of 
the executive committee, wrote: 

Shanghai, July 6, 1907. 

Dear Dr. Klopsch: The great famine which has devastated 
several prefectures of this province is now over. The people 
and officials very highly appreciate all that has been done to 
save them from a terrible death at the hands of the hunger 
fiend. 

A great part of the success of our work has been due to your 
noble efforts, and I wish in the most positive and hearty way 
possible to express to you from our committee our very sincere 



200 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

thanks for the wonderful work you and your widely-circulated 
paper have accompHshed. . . . The total amount of con- 
tributions reaUzed through our committee and the Ching Kiang 
committee and other sources reached a total of $1,600,000 
Mexican ($800,000 gold). Of this sum, about $1,000,000 
($500,000 gold) was reaHzed from America, and largely through 
your good self. We have reUeved over a million persons with 
these funds by direct assistance, and very many more by the 
indirect results which have accrued through our efforts by 
compelling oJEcials and gentry who held stocks of food stuff to 
reaHze at reasonable rates. Great numbers of people in the 
famine area have thanked our sub-committees for this very 
reason. A number of them had sufficient money to buy food 
stuffs to see them through, even at enhanced prices, but not 
at the terribly inflated rates that were ruling. The vast impor- 
tation of food stuffs from our committee compelled holders of 
grain to reduce prices and thus enable the above class of people 
to hold out till the harvest. 

A very great amount of relief works have been put in, which 
tend to ameUorate conditions of life in the country and in some 
measure to prevent a recurrence of famine by flood. We shall 
do our best to persuade the Government to carry on to com- 
pletion the works so begun. 

A further great benefit that will result from this famine work 
will be the bettering of the relations existing between the 
Chinese and foreigners. Both sides have come to understand 
each other better, and have seen another phase of each others* 
character. I have no doubt whatever that a further result 
has been the breaking down of anti-foreign barriers, so that 
missionaries from this time on have an access to the people*s 
attention and hearts such as has never been known before. 

The work has involved of course an enormous strain upon 
us, physically and mentally, and entailed an immense amount 
of labor; but all have worked well and a very great success has 
crowned our united efforts. 

The orphan work in China naturally followed the 
famine relief work. At the close of the fearful visi- 



FURTHER FAMINES IN CHINA 201 

tations, the missionaries found themselves burdened 
with a new responsibility. In a number of prov- 
inces where the suffering had been most severe, 
hundreds of poor families were completely wiped 
out by death, while others were reduced to two or 
three members, mostly children. These helpless 
little creatures were taken by relatives or strangers 
to the missionaries, and many of the latter soon 
found themselves in the difficult position of having 
to support a large family of orphan waifs for whom 
they had no provision beyond the regular mission 
stipend. 

At this time the appeal was made to The Christian 
Herald, and Dr. Klopsch after investigation under- 
took in behalf of its readers to aid in the orphan 
work. Remittances were forwarded to the mission- 
aries who were in most urgent need. A permanent 
provision was arranged for various orphanages. The 
unexpended balance of the famine fund was devoted 
to the support of some three thousand orphans, under 
the personal direction of the missionary committee, 
of which the Rev. W. C. Longden was Chairman. 
This fund is still in operation. There are now about 
two thousand orphans on the roil. Remittances are 
sent regularly every quarter in advance. 



CHAPTER XII 

SYMPATHY WITH THE NEW JAPAN 

CLOSE BOND WITH THE AMEEICAN PEOPLE FAILURE OF THE RICE CROP IN 1906 

DISTRESS OF THE POPULATION THE "CHRISTIAN HERALD " STARTS THE 

FUNDS COOPERATION IN RELIEF MOVEMENTS SKETCH OF THE JAPANESE 

RED CROSS MISSIONARY COMMITTEE PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT THANKS 

DR. KLOPSCH HOPE DAWNS STATE DEPARTMENT REPORTS PERMANENT 

AID FOR THE ORPHANS GRATEFUL LETTER FROM GOVERNORS OF THE 

SUCCORED PROVINCES JAPANESE GOVERNMENT'S RECOGNITION BARON 

OZAWA's special mission — ORDER OF THE RISING SUN CONFERRED ON DB. 
KLOPSCH — FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 

IN the awakening of the Orient, Japan has been 
the first of the old nations to shake off the 
sleep of centuries. From the time when Com- 
modore Perry opened the doors to Western civiliza- 
tion the history and the customs of the Japanese 
have had a fascinating interest for the American 
people. But they have also been interested in the 
marvelous progress since the Japanese have prided 
themselves that they were the pupils of America. 
There has been a spirit of mutual friendliness. 

After the conclusion of the war with Russia, Japan 
began to experience the industrial and financial 
depression which is not unusual with the victors in 
war. Reactions of this sort are, however, overcome 
and the advance of a nation is not halted. But 
there are some events which cannot be anticipated. 
One of these is the failure of crops. 

In the summer of 1906 reports were received that 

202 



SYMPATHY WITH THE NEW JAPAN 203 

the northern provinces were in the grip of famine. 
The American missionaries at Sendai made known the 
situation. The Government had established rehef 
stations and was making heroic efforts to mitigate 
the suffering, but there was the cruel fact that the 
rice crop in what was usually one of the finest gran- 
aries of the country was a failure, and that a large 
number of people, estimated at one million, were 
without food. 

The Rev. H. Loomis, of the American Bible Society 
at Yokohama, wrote The Christian Herald: 

"The Japanese oflScials are doing all in their powder. 
They will be most grateful for any voluntary con- 
tributions, but are too self-respecting to appear be- 
fore the world as beggars. Knowing the readiness 
of your people to assist in every good work, I take 
this opportunity to request help to relieve this great 
distress. Such action will demonstrate to the Jap- 
anese the spirit of Christianity and your sincere 
interest in their welfare." 

The Rev. J. H. De Forest, of the Sendai Missionary 
Committee, wrote: 

"The national pride of the Japanese prevents him 
from making any public appeal for aid. But to 
ask for aid is a very different thing from receiving 
aid proffered by sympathetic friends. It was solely 
in this support that foreigners ventured with hesi- 
tancy to place an appeal before the foreign com- 
munities. It is our privilege to help soften the 
sorrow of thousands of homes and if this be done as 
friends the act will win the gratitude of all classes." 

It became known that many of the people in the 



204 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

famine-stricken provinces were living on roots and 
bark. Though every effort was made at least to 
supply enough subsistence to save the suffering 
peasants from starvation, many did die from lack 
of nourishment. In some cases they sought to live 
upon what was known as "hunger-bread," which was 
a composition of earth mixed with powdered rice, 
straw, and acorns. Some of the poor people had 
nothing but crushed acorns and earth. 

As letter after letter came from the missionaries, 
intelligence was received from other foreigners in 
Japan, and as the Government officials reluctantly 
told of their efforts to relieve the distress and con- 
fessed their fears that these would be unavailing 
without aid from abroad, a sustenance relief move- 
ment was started in the United States. 

Dr. Klopsch began forwarding money even before 
The Christian Herald readers had time to send in 
their contributions. In The Christian Herald, he 
wrote: 

" ' Give us bread, give us bread, or we perish,' is the 
pitiful cry which comes from the northern provinces 
of far-away Japan to Christian America. Mothers 
frantically pressing the emaciated little forms of 
infant children to their parched breasts, as if by em- 
brace to keep the feeble spark of life from becoming 
wholly extinct; wives whose hearts are breaking as 
they see the bread-winner of the family growing 
weaker and weaker day after day, without prospect 
of relief; and husbands whose looks of hopeless agony 
speak louder than words of the terrible dread and 
apprehension that fill their hearts, are straining their 




EMPEROR MUTSIHITO AND THE EMPRESS OF JAPAN 




THE DECORATION OF THE "RISING SUN" 
Presented to Dr. Klopsch by the Emperor of Japan 



SYMPATHY WITH THE NEW JAPAN 205 

eyes in the direction of this country whence hail the 
missionaries who have told them of the beautiful 
story of one Jesus, who went about doing good, 
who fed the multitudes, and whose followers in this 
blessed country are working in the foot-steps of their 
Master." 

President Roosevelt, voicing the feelings of the 
American people, addressed an appeal in behalf of 
the suffering nation. In this he said: 

"The famine situation in northern Japan is proving 
much more serious than at first supposed, and thou- 
sands of persons are on the verge of starvation. It 
is a calamity such as may occasionally befall any 
nation. Nations, like men, should stand ever ready 
to aid each other in distress, and I appeal to the 
American people to help from their abundance their 
suffering fellow-men of the great and friendly nation 
of Japan." 

The diplomatic and consular officers of the United 
States in the meantime had forwarded official reports 
confirming all that had previously been received from 
private sources. The reports stated that a large part 
of the population in the famine provinces was 
reduced to subsistence on roots of trees, leaves, barks 
and acorns. 

In the consular advices, some of the recipes for the 
preparation of what was designated as "emergency 
food" were given, and they revealed with startling 
emphasis the desperate straits to which the sufferers 
had been reduced. One illustration shows the 
character of this "emergency food." It describes 
the straw-cakes, which were seven parts water, one 



206 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

and one-half parts cheap flour, with three-quarters 
of a pound of hme and a half pound of potassium 
bicarbonate. The straw was cut fine and boiled 
an hour and a half in sixteen quarts of water. The 
roots and chafiE were skimmed oflF and thrown away. 
The straw water was strained through the Ume, after 
which the potassium bicarbonate was added, and 
then more straw put in. This boiled straw was 
washed with fresh water and strained, and the resi- 
due thoroughly mixed with cheap flour, forming 
the consistency of tough dough. This was made 
into cakes and allowed to dry, after which it was 
pounded and beaten, then it was mixed with water 
and boiled into soup. This recipe made about eight 
quarts of food. 

Various committees were formed in the United 
States, the American National Red Gross Society 
exerted itself, and the Japanese National Red Cross 
was selected as the chief source for distributing the 
relief. Japan was fortunate in having its National 
Red Cross Society, which labored in harmonious 
conjunction with the missionary and other foreign 
rehef workers. The Society had its origin with 
Haku-ai-sha, or "Society of Extended Benevolence," 
founded by a number of philanthropic Japanese 
noblemen when the Satsuma rebellion broke out in 
1877. After the rebellion was suppressed, the pro- 
moters of the Haku-ai-sha effected a permanent 
organization and made preparations for future emer- 
gencies, training surgeons and nurses for active 
field service. They established at Tokio the Haku- 
ai-sha Hospital, where poor patients were treated 



SYMPATHY WITH THE NEW JAPAN 207 

gratuitously, and where surgeons and nurses were 
trained. Later it placed itself in connection with 
the International Committee of the Red Cross at 
Geneva, and entered into fraternal relations with 
similar societies in other countries. It also changed 
its name to the "Red Cross Society of Japan." 

By 1905 the Society had nearly a million members, 
each of whom was pledged to contribute not less than 
three yen ($1.50) annually for a period of ten years. 
The Society has a Central Board or Headquarters 
in Tokio, and branch offices in all the prefectures, 
called "local stations." A General Assembly of all 
the members, held in Tokio once a year, is honored 
by the presence of the Emperor in person. At this 
Assembly the election of thirty members of a standing 
committee for the term of three years takes place. 
The membership of this committee is honorary. The 
officers do not receive salaries. 

The Emperor has endowed the Society with a 
fixed capital, which produces $2,500 a year, and the 
Empress has granted an annual endowment of a 
similar amount to the Hospital of the Society. On 
the twenty-fifth anniversary of the foundation of the 
International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, 
the Empress made a gift of $50,000 to the Society, as 
a hospital fund, and granted the free use of an im- 
mense tract of land situated in the suburbs of Tokio 
as hospital grounds. 

In the statutes of the Japanese Red Cross Society, 
the expression often recurs "relief in case of political 
disaster or national calamity." When in 1888 the 
eruption of Mount Bandi occurred, and several 



208 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

hundred persons were killed, the Society sent to the 
scene of disaster physicians equipped with all that 
was necessary for succor. It also did efficient service 
on many other occasions, notably with the wreck of 
the Turkish warship Ertogul in 1890, and after the 
great earthquake in 1891, it succored many hun- 
dreds of injured. 

In connection with the Society there is a large 
and influential body called "The Lady Volunteer 
Nursing Association." It was founded in Tokio by 
princesses and the wives and daughters of nobles 
and prominent persons. 

At the period of the famine in the northern prov- 
inces, the Japanese Red Cross was very thoroughly 
organized and equipped in all its branches and in a 
position to render the very best service to the suffer- 
ing people. Its President was Count Matsakata, one 
of the elder statesmen, who had twice been Prime Min- 
ister and several times Minister of Finance. The Vice- 
Presidents were Baron Hanabusa and Baron Ozawa. 

With such an efficient body cooperating with the 
missionaries and other agencies, the American people 
rightly felt that the relief which they contributed 
would be well and speedily applied. Dr. Klopsch 
had the same feeling. Early in March, he had 
cabled $20,000 to the Japanese Red Cross for the 
famine and received immediate thanks from Count 
Matsakata. This money was spent in the purchase 
of food, which was immediately forwarded to the 
field for the relief of the neediest cases. 

More aid was rushed for emergency purposes, 
both to the Japanese Red Cross and direct to the 
Missionary Relief Committee at Sendai. 




IN A JAPANESE PEASANT HOME 




THE POOR QUARTERS OF A JAPANESE PEASANT FAMILY 



SYMPATHY WITH THE NEW JAPAN 209 

In one week The Christian Herald cabled through 
the State Department $50,000. Mr. Eki Hioki, the 
Charge d" Affaires at the Japanese Legation in Wash- 
ington, received official dispatches from the Govern- 
ment at Tokio saying that the money sent from 
America had been received and sent to the different 
centers in the famine district and there expended 
for food. 

So spontaneous and liberal were the contributions 
through The Christian Herald that President Roose- 
velt sent a special telegram of commendation to Dr. 
Klopsch as follows: 

"The White House, 
Washington, March 21, 1906. 
"Mr. Louis Klopsch, 

The Christian Herald, New York, N. Y. 
"Let me heartily thank you, and through you The 
Christian Herald, for the admirable work done in 
connection with the famine sufferers in Japan. You 
have raised $100,000, and you have rendered a very 
real service to humanity and to the cause of inter- 
national good- will. 

"(Signed) Theodore Roosevelt." 

Dr. Klopsch sent the following reply: 

"New York, March 21, 1906. 
"To His Excellency, The President. 

^' Dear Mr. President: It was a very gracious act 
to wire me your personal appreciation of The Chris- 
tian Herald work for the Japan famine sufferers ; and 
for our readers, our staff, and myself I thank you 
most sincerely, and beg to assure you that your 
very generous message will stimulate us all to greater 
achievement. 

"(Signed) Louis Klopsch." 



210 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOFSCH 

Slowly hope dawned over the suffering provinces. 
The Japanese Government, besides doing all it could 
for the relief of those actually suffering, had shown 
proper foresight for the future, and had distributed 
seed for planting the next season's rice crop. In 
April a cablegram came to Dr. Klopsch, from Rev. 
C. S. Davison, the Secretary of the Missionary Com- 
mittee at Sendai, saying that while half a million 
were still receiving aid, the prospects were better 
owing to public works and warmer weather. The 
Missionary Committee had made four distributions 
of relief, one being exclusively with contributions 
received through The Christian Herald, It planned 
to close the work by the end of May. 

The State Department in Washington received 
from Hon. Huntington Wilson, the American Charge 
d' Affaires at Tokio, an oflBcial report that the crisis 
was over. In his letter he said: 

"The Government estimated the number of people 
in need on March 8 to be 700,000. A gentleman 
who had been investigating the situation on the spot 
estimated at the same date that some 900,000 were 
in more or less distress, and that of these about 
500,000 were really suffering, and some 250,000 in 
vital need and now receiving assistance. The fam- 
ine had now reached, and probably passed, its worst 
stage. The means of relief are improved. The 
severe winter is now breaking up, which will, with 
the melting of the snow, improve the means of 
communication and make more out-of-door work 
possible. As the spring and summer advance, there 
will be work in planting for land-owners, tending 



SYMPATHY WITH THE NEW JAPAN 211 

silk worms, picking mulberry leaves, etc. For these 
reasons the suffering should now steadily decrease. 
A measure of relief will be needed, however, until 
the autumn, when the local rice crop is harvested. 
Perhaps by the middle of June the number of those 
who must be given food will be reduced by about 
one-half, and so gradually fall off. 

"Americans may well feel pride in the splendid 
work done by the Foreign Committee at Sendai, of 
which the great majority, Dr. De Forest, Mr. W. E. 
Lampe, The Rev. C. S. Davison, Mr. M. B. Madden, 
and William Axling, are citizens of the United States. 
The work of these men, and the donations from the 
United States, collected by The Christian Herald, and 
through the Red Cross Society, are like the Presi- 
dent's humanitarian appeal, highly appreciated in 
Japan." 

An official report of the Interior Department of 
the Japanese Government gave in detail the relief 
work in operation, which showed that the Govern- 
ment had made sufficient provision for all emer- 
gencies during the coming summer, the object in 
view being to carry over the sufferers until the next 
harvest. 

When the violence of the famine abated, the usual 
orphan problem, which seems to be inseparable from 
such calamities, presented itself. One of the mis- 
sionaries, the Rev. J. H. Pettee, sent Dr. Klopsch 
a vivid description of the care that was taken to 
properly provide for the waifs. Some of them 
were brought six hundred miles. 

The Missionary Committee, of which Dr. W. E. 



212 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Lampe was Chairman, gathered the orphans together 
and placed them in two large orphanages at Sendai 
and Okayama, some twelve hundred in all. The last 
contribution from the United States to the famine- 
stricken people was divided, according to the de- 
cision of the official committee, among the orphan 
asylums which were especially caring for the orphans 
from the famine districts. 

Dr. Klopsch, in dealing with the Japanese orphan- 
ages, decided to operate on the same principles that 
he had found so successful in India, that is, finding 
American patrons for individual orphans. At the 
time of his death there were 386 orphans in the care 
of two orphanages, for which individual support is 
sent regularly every three months in advance, the 
patrons making their remittances through The Chris- 
tian Herald. It was a remarkable instance of the 
interest taken that in connection with this Japanese 
relief work there had been more volunteer ofiFers of 
individual support than there had been orphans to 
be maintained. Dr. Klopsch's experience with the 
India and China orphanages gave assurance that the 
patron's pledges for Japan orphans' support would 
be faithfully kept. 

In July Dr. Klopsch presented the audited state- 
ment of the Japanese famine fund under the auspices 
of The Christian Herald, The total disbursements 
amounted to $241,822.80. 

The gratitude of the Japanese people, and of the 
Japanese Government, was shown in many ways. 
Late in July, Viscount Aoki, Japanese Ambassador 
in Washington, sent the following letter: 



SYMPATHY WITH THE NEW JAPAN 



213 



Japanese Embassy, ' 
Washington, July 26, 1906. 

Sm: Upon the request of the three Governors of Mizagi, 
Iwate and Fukushima, Japan, I beg to transmit to you the 
enclosed letter, m which they jointly express their sincere thanks 
for the collection you have made for the rehef of the famine- 
stricken people of those three provinces. 

In thus carrying out the request of the three Governors, I 
have the honor to express my own appreciation of your humane 
and fraternal action and to ask that you will be good enough 
to make a public announcement of the grateful thanks of my 
countrymen and of myself for the material aid which was so 
generously and so cheerfully given by the high-minded people 
of the United States for the reUef of the unf ortimate sufferers of 
northern Japan. I am, sir. 

Very respectfully yours, 
To Dr. Louis Klopsch, (Signed) Viscount S. Aoki. 

Editor of The Christian Herald, New York. 

A facsimile of the letter from the three governors, 
with the translation in English, is reproduced below. 



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214 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

(Translation) 

June 8th, 1906. 
To the Editor and Proprietor of " The Christian Herald.'' 

Sir : We beg to gratefully acknowledge the receipt of your 
earlier contribution of 170,854.27 yen,^ from the first to the 
third remittance, inclusive, and of your three later remit- 
tances made through the American Red Cross, amounting to 
110,552.77 yen, which two sums were duly transmitted to us 
by om* central government, through the medium of the Red 
Cross Society of Japan, to be expended for the relief of the 
famine sufferers of our three provinces. 

We join in expressing to you, and, through you, to those 
sympathizers who responded to your philanthropic appeal, 
our profound appreciation, and that of the people of our 
provinces, for the deep sympathy and cordial good-will so 
generously manifested for our unfortunate sufferers from nat- 
ural calamity. We beg to assure you that we will unite our 
best efforts in making prompt distribution of your donations 
among the needy sufferers and in seeing the noble purpose 
you have in view carried out satisfactorily. 

Respectfully, 
(Seal) Y. Kaemi, Governor of the Province of Miyagi. 

(Seal) N. OsHiKAWA, Governor of the Province of Iwate. 

(Seal) Y. Arita, Governor of the Province of Fukushima. 

The Director of the Japanese Red Cross, in a 
letter to Dr. Klopsch, also expressed the appreciation 
of that Society for the reUef that had been extended, 
and gave details regarding their distribution. He 
said that the sufferers expressed their appreciation 
and gratitude with tears in their eyes for all the kind- 
ness shown them by the contributors to the fund. 

How deep the sentiment of gratitude was, appeared 
months after the famine was over. In February, 

- ^A yen is 49 cents. 



SYMPATHY WITH THE NEW JAPAN 215 

1907, Minister Aoki wrote Dr. Klopseh from Wash- 
ington recalling the pleasure he had had in July, 
1906, in enclosing a letter in which the three govern- 
ors jointly expressed their sincere thanks. He added 
that he was now requested by His Majesty's Minister 
of State to transmit a letter in which Viscount 
Hayashi, speaking in behalf of himself and of his 
colleagues of home affairs, expressed to Dr. EHopsch 
their sincere thanks for the generous contribution 
of the people of the United States who so willingly 
responded to the call for relief of the distress caused 
by the famine. 

The letter from Viscount Hayashi, after reciting 
the contributions and the action taken with regard 
to the remittances, closed by saying: 

I have much pleasure in assuring you that the sympathy 
thus shown by the American people was a source of great con- 
solation, no less than of material help and comfort to the 
inhabitants of the stricken districts, who were at the time in 
great distress. 

The Japanese Government did not stop with these 
acknowledgments. A little later Baron Takew 
Ozawa, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Japanese 
Red Cross Society, came to the United States on a 
special mission. It was to decorate Dr. Klopseh, 
who had been created a special member of the 
Society, with the Order of the Rising Sun. Baron 
Ozawa was an honored guest of the Periodical Pub- 
lishers Association at their banquet in Albany. On 
that occasion, in addressing the guests, he said among 
other things, speaking of himself and his associates: 



216 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

"Our mission is, briefly, first, to decorate Dr. 
Louis Klopsch with the Order of the Rising Sun, 
for his kindness and sympathy." 

The presentation of the Order was made in the 
office of The Christian Herald in New York. The date 
was May 15, 1907. There were present on the occa- 
sion, besides Baron Ozawa, his secretary and inter- 
preter, Mr. Masatake S. Togo, and the editors and 
heads of the various departments of The Christian 
Herald. Thus spoke Baron Ozawa: 

"In the name of my Imperial Sovereign, the 
Emperor of Japan, and of Her Imperial Majesty, 
the Empress, I am commissioned to convey to Dr. 
Louis Klopsch their royal acknowledgments for all 
the kindness and generous aid which you and The 
Christian Herald, its editors and its readers, have 
extended to the people of our country during the 
late famine. Furthermore, as a token of His Imperial 
Majesty's regard, he has personally directed me to 
invest you with this decoration of the Order of the 
Rising Sun, a duty which I take pleasure in perform- 
ing in obedience to His Majesty's command." 

Dr. Klopsch, after receiving the decoration, said, 
in substance, that the honor, which had come so 
unexpectedly, was one which he accepted in the 
name of the hundreds of thousands of contributors 
whose Christian generosity had made the relief work 
in Japan so successful. He desired Baron Ozawa to 
convey to their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress, 
his sincere acknowledgment. He referred to the uni- 
versal sympathy which had prevailed in this country 
for the unfortunate Japanese peasants during the 



SYMPATHY WITH THE NEW JAPAN 217 

period of famine, and to the fact that then, as on 
various other occasions of a similar character, the 
generous-hearted people had chosen his journal as 
a channel for their benevolence. "Our nation, as a 
whole," he said, "entertains feelings of the warmest 
admiration and friendship for the people of Japan." 

The Order of the Rising Sun has an interesting 
origin. There are four orders of distinction in Japan, 
the two most important being the Order of the Rising 
Sun and the Order of the Chrysanthemum. The 
orders were all founded at about the same time, at 
the beginning of the reign of the present Emperor. 
The Rising Sun was first conferred in 1875. The 
decoration has engraved, in Japanese characters on 
the back, the words, "for merit." 

The Order is given to Japanese or foreigners who 
have rendered great service to the Emperor or the 
Empire. It is much coveted. It holds the same 
place in Japan that the various orders of knighthood 
hold in European countries. The badge is made to 
represent the Rising Sun of Japan. There is a center 
disk of crimson, and from this radiates the golden 
rising of the sun. The spaces between are in white 
enamel. The decoration is suspended from a white 
ribbon, edged with crimson. It is worn on the left 
breast on occasions of ceremony. At other times a 
little button of crimson silk is worn in the button- 
hole of the lapel of the coat, serving as a recog- 
nition button. 

Previous to this decoration Count Matsuyata, 
President of the Japanese Red Cross, had forwarded 
Dr. Klopsch, "as a token of our high appreciation 



218 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

for the kindness and sympathy you have shown to 
our country in many different ways and in com- 
memoration of the Red Cross work of the Society 
as well," a medal struck with copper articles actually 
employed by both belligerents in the severe battles 
of Port Arthur and Mukden. 

A further effort of the Japanese Government and 
people to show their appreciation was made in 1908, 
when Mr. T. J. O'Brien, the American Ambassador 
at Tokio, communicated the request of the Govern- 
ment that it be furnished with the names of the 
individual contributors to the famine fund so that 
it might send to each one its individual acknowl- 
edgments. Since there were more than 85,000 of 
these contributors, it was impracticable to carry out 
this graceful idea, and a general acknowledgment was 
again made through The Christian Herald to the 
contributors as a body. 



CHAPTER XIII 

FAIR Italy's appalling calamity 

HISTORIC VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS THE TERRIFYING CHRISTMAS WEEK OF 1908 — 

BEAUTIFUL MESSINa's DESTRUCTION BY EARTHQUAKE THE TIDAL WAVE — 

NEIGHBORING TOWNS WIPED OUT — THE "CHRISTIAN HERALD " CABLES AID 
FOR THE SURVIVORS — REV. DR. CARTER COMMISSIONED TO VISIT THE SCENES 
OF SORROW — THRILLING STORY OF WHAT HE SAW — REGGIO AND THE 
SICILIAN COAST — "MOTHER AND CHILD CHARITY " PROPOSED BY DR. KLOPSCH 

HEROIC QUEEN HELENa's AID — ASSISTANCE GIVEN THE WALDENSIAN 

CHRISTIANS — VISIT TO ITALY BY ROYAL INVITATION — AMBASSADOR GRIS- 
COM's COURTESY — AUDIENCE WITH KING VICTOR EMMANUEL — DR. KLOPSCH's 
ACCOUNT — APPRECIATIVE COMMENT. 

ITALY, the land of story, has been known in 
history for the destructive disasters it has 
suffered. Vesuvius and Etna time and again 
have poured forth their fiery streams and over- 
whelmed towns and cities. Buried Pompeii and 
Herculaneum are the record of the fury of Vesuvius 
nineteen hundred years ago. But all the disasters 
have not been due to the volcanic eruptions. The 
greatest of the modern ones, the calamity of cen- 
turies, was due to an earthquake. 

After Christmas in 1908 the world was startled by 
the news that a frightful earthquake had visited 
southern Italy on the morning of December 28, 
changing the geographical outline of a large part of 
the country, destroying cities, towns, and villages 
almost in an instant, and carrying down to a sudden 
and shocking death a great multitude of human 
beings. 

219 



220 LIFE-WOKK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Italy is shaped much hke a boot, with its toe 
placed against a rock. Calabria, the toe of the boot, 
and the rock, the picturesque island of Sicily, were 
the districts in which the most appalling loss of life 
occurred. The rest of the region, however, was 
shaken with lighter tremors, which were felt as far 
north as the Italian Alps. The death-dealing dis- 
turbance had for its center the Straits of Messina, 
lying between Calabria on the mainland and Sicily. 
Three great volcanoes, Etna, Vesuvius, and Strom- 
bolijwere within the area of the shock. Many times 
in previous years severe earthquakes had visited 
this ill-fated region, but all of these experiences were 
utterly eclipsed by the mighty spasm which blotted 
the beautiful Calabrian city Reggio out of existence 
and laid in ruins various smaller towns on the main- 
land, as well as the cities of Messina, Catania, and 
other towns in Sicily. 

The earthquake shocks began about half past five 
on the morning of December 28, while the people 
were asleep, and lasted about thirty seconds. Sub- 
sequent shocks, which came in rapid succession, 
were a few seconds longer in duration. The whole 
of the Straits of Messina were convulsed. The sea 
became greatly agitated. Suddenly a huge tidal 
wave swept through the Straits, carrying everything 
before it, tossing ships as though they were of paper, 
tearing big vessels from their anchorage, and fill- 
ing the water with wreckage. This monster wave, 
accompanied by a roaring and terrifying sound, swept 
inland doing tremendous damage and adding heavily 
to the list of mortalities inflicted by the earthquake. 



FAIR ITALY'S APPALLING CALAMITY 221 

Soon the ruins of the crumbKng towns caught iSre 
and columns of smoke arose in all directions. 

The first accounts which reached the outside 
world came from the terror-stricken refugees who 
fled from Messina. They told how in their beautiful 
city when the first shock came the earth seemed to 
rise for a moment and then to fall away. The fronts 
of the houses along entire streets fell forward to the 
roadway, as if dashed down by unseen hands, and 
the people were precipitated to the lower floors, and 
in some instances clear to the streets. In an instant 
the city was in an uproar, falling walls, the rending 
of timbers, the shrieks of the people, mingled in an 
indescribable pandemonium. All who could, made 
their way into the open. Some who retained their 
self-possession tried to rescue their families, but be- 
fore anything could be done, other shocks followed, 
and the weakened walls that were still standing fell 
in on the people below, the grinding of brick and 
stone, as it rushed downward to earth, making a 
deafening roar, which drowned out for a moment 
the cries and shrieks of the people. The crowds, 
barefooted and in their night clothes, ran hither and 
thither, as cries of warning and of appeal echoed, 
first from one quarter and then another. The sky 
seemed black as ink, and rain and sleet beat down 
upon the ruined city, but while it added to the 
distress of the hapless people, it was insufficient to 
extinguish the flames which began to burst out of 
many ruins and soon laid a large area in ashes. 

Amid the horror of it all, many went stark mad 
and ran shrieking from street to street until they fell 



222 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

exhausted among the heaps of dead, or escaped to the 
country, where they were found. Searching parties 
described them wandering about unable to tell who 
they were or where they had lived. 

In the lower part of Messina the tidal wave rose 
soon after the quake and caused the loss of thou- 
sands. In the straits the water rose like a wall to 
the height of eight and nine feet, and then swept 
shoreward to fill in the depression caused by the sub- 
sistence of the coast land. The fishing boats dis- 
appeared in the wild waters. The large ships in the 
harbor were hurled against one another, the smaller 
going to the bottom in the twinkling of an eye. 
Others were dashed against the quays, and both ships 
and docks were reduced to unrecognizable beams of 
twisted iron and timber. And on went the wave, 
apparently gaining strength as it rushed up into the 
town for a thousand feet. At no point was; it lower 
than a man's arm-pits, and hundreds were drowned. 

The receding waters carried out to sea masts, 
broken hulls, boats turned bottom up, and the 
lighter parts of houses which it had gathered in its 
sweep into the city. One survivor said he saw the 
water strike the cathedral and pass over its roof. 
The ferry-boat from Messina was half-way across 
to Reggio when the waters opened and the boat 
went down until the officers were sure it touched 
bottom, then it seemed lifted mountain high, to be 
again dashed downward. It escaped being wrecked 
and at last reached the spot where Reggio had 
stood, but where now was only a heap of rubbish, 
in which lay the bodies of thousands of victims. 



FAIR ITALY'S APPALLING CALAMITY 223 

Such were the jBrst accounts received. Then came 
estimates that 25,000 people had lost their Uves. 
Soon the figures were placed at 50,000, then at 
100,000, and finally it was known that 200,000 
human beings had perished on that awful morning. 
The mind could not grasp the horror of this instant 
destruction of life. It was too stupendous. 

Yet there were survivors, many thousands of them, 
and these must have instant relief. The day after 
the news came, Dr. Klopsch sent this cable message 
to the American Ambassador at Rome: 

"Griscom, Minister, Rome. 

" Christian Herald advances by cable through State 
Department $20,000 for relief with deepest sym- 
pathy for King and stricken people. More to follow. 
"(Signed) Louis Klopsch." 

Announcements of this gift were also telegraphed 
to King Victor Emmanuel, to the Italian Ambassador 
in Washington, and to Hon. William H. Taft, as 
President of the American Red Cross. In the fol- 
lowing issue of The Christian Herald was an editorial, 
which said: 

"Sicily, where Garibaldi celebrated his greatest 
triumphs that ultimately resulted in the present 
United Kingdom of Italy; Sicily, the land of bright 
sunshine, lovely flowers and luscious fruit, the land 
of perennial summer, has been stricken and laid low. 
Several of her chief cities and many of her populous 
and prosperous towns and villages have been wiped 
from off the face of the earth. Two hundred thou- 
sand of her people have perished, and 2,000,000 
have been utterly impoverished. They are in fearful 



224 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

straits. They don't speak English, hence they can- 
not plead understandingly with us for themselves. 
But I can, and will plead for them, and I know I 
shall not plead in vain." 

Generously the American people responded to the 
call for help. Dr. Klopsch, knowing from past ex- 
perience what could be expected from the gener- 
osity of his readers, telegraphed in their behalf 
$30,000 to the State Department additional to the 
original $20,000 which was sent within twenty-four 
hours after the disaster occurred. This made a total 
of $50,000 advanced personally by Dr. Klopsch 
in anticipation of contributions. Assistant Secretary 
of State Bacon at once cabled the money to Italy. 
That brilliant woman. Miss Mabel Boardman, of the 
Red Cross, who had cooperated with Dr. Klopsch 
in many of his eflforts, aided most effectively in the 
Italian relief. 

Ambassador Griscom, who was doing everything 
possible to advance the relief work and fitting out a 
ship with supplies at Naples, was greatly hampered 
by the lack of funds; but The Christian Herald 
check, together with the money collected and for- 
warded by the Red Cross, made the charter of a 
vessel possible. The steamer Bayern, lying at Genoa, 
was secured, and a cargo of food was at once rushed 
on board. Doctors and volunteer nurses offered 
their services, which were gladly accepted. The 
ship cruised along the Sicilian and Calabrian coasts, 
and Ambassador Griscom went with the steamer 
and remained several days, while Mrs. Griscom 
worked unceasingly as chairman of a committee of 




RESCUING A VICTIM OF THE ITALIAN EARTHQUAKE 




HOUSEKEEPING IN THE STREETS AND PARKS 



FAIR ITALY'S APPALLING CALAMITY ^^5 

American women in Rome to provide supplies of 
clothing for the victims of the catastrophe. 

The Christian Herald arranged to have its special 
correspondent in the devastated district in the person 
of the Rev. WilHam Carter, of the Madison Avenue 
Reformed Church in New York City. He was in 
Switzerland when the earthquake occurred, but on 
receiving his commission to go to the earthquake 
zone as its representative, he started at once for 
Messina. Graphic accounts of the scenes of suffer- 
ing were received from Mr. Carter. From Messina 
he wrote: 

"Never in the world's history has there been a 
greater calamity than this, never indeed one so 
great. Pompeii, Herculaneum, Lisbon, Martinique 
and San Francisco, with all their horrors, seem puny 
beside this tremendous devastation and its awful 
slaughter. Lisbon, the largest of the earth's catas- 
trophes until now, with its 50,000 victims, is just 
about one-fourth as appalling as this cataclysm with 
over 200,000 victims in more than a hundred cities, 
towns and villages. From Palmi, on the north, to 
Melito on the south of the Calabrian coast, and from 
Messina on the north, to Nizza on the south of the 
Sicilian border, the earth was shaken to its very 
center, and the work of centuries overthrown in a 
moment of time. 

"That a city of 150,000 people, like Messina, could 
be wiped out in a single quake of the earth's crust 
seemed impossible, unless the earth should open 
as a gigantic mouth and swallow it completely. I 
therefore came to Messina with the feeling that I 



^^6 LIPE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

should not find things as bad as chronicled, and 
that my work in writing about it would be rather 
corrective than otherwise. 

"My first view of the city, however, dispelled all 
such thoughts. From the deck of the steamer in 
which I entered the harbor, I found pile after pile 
of awful ruins, and as far as I could see there appeared 
no end. Nowhere, and I say it carefully, nowhere in 
Messina did I see a habitable dwelling. Every house, 
every store, every building of every kind was either 
lying in a heap of dust and debris, or, if the outer 
walls were still standing, the roof and inner walls 
had fallen in on their helpless inmates. 

"We only get an appreciation of facts by some 
unitive measure, some standard or gauge well known 
to all. To hear that a coast town in Sicily has been 
overwhelmed only gives to the average man in 
America the idea that an insignificant town of mean 
huts and dwellings has been destroyed. Here, how- 
ever, was a city larger than Denver, Columbus or 
Toledo, with municipal buildings, palaces, mansions 
and public improvements as great, if not greater, 
than any of those mentioned. It is no mean city, 
therefore, on which this scourge has fallen, but one 
of such pretentions as rightly rank her among the 
world's commercial centers. In 1904, the last exact 
statistics available, 7,703 vessels, carrying 486,000 
tons of merchandise, cleared from her harbor, and 
with her famous oranges named after her, Messina 
supplied the world. 

"Alas, what a change is there now! In a moment 
of time 108,000 of her citizens were carried down to 



FAIR ITALY'S APPALLING CALAMITY 227 

death, all of her commercial houses were overthrown, 
her magnificent docks destroyed, and the homes of 
her people made into dust heaps and charnel-houses." 

In another letter, Dr. Carter described the work 
of relief, and especially of the Bay em. For Am- 
bassador Griscom, Capt. Belknap, the American 
Naval Attache, and Major Landis, the Military 
Attache, everybody had words of praise. He also 
wrote of the brave efforts of the King and Queen 
Helena. 

Dr. Carter was at the ruins of the American 
Consulate when the remains of the Consul, Mr. 
Cheney, and his wife were recovered after nineteen 
days search under the direction of Vice-Consul Lup- 
ton. There was no struggle manifest, no contortion. 
The only thing that indicated any consciousness was 
the sheet convulsively grasped in the Consul's hand. 
It was apparently a first convulsive horror, and then 
a merciful death that must have followed instan- 
taneously. Tenderly the bodies of the dead Consul 
and his wife were lifted out and placed on stretchers 
near at hand, and then carried down a heap of ruins 
to the ground below, where two caskets were awaiting 
them, and there the soldiers gently placed them and 
sealed the inner leaden casket and screwed down 
the cover of the outer one, and bore them to the boat 
that was to take them to their last resting place. 

Describing other incidents of his work for The 
Christian Herald, Dr. Carter wrote: 

"It was night as I left Messina. I was anxious to 
see Reggio, Palmi, Melito and the rest of the coast, 
and so I had to go. The captain of our vessel told 



228 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

me that so violent was the upheaval in the straits 
themselves that places which before were 2,400 feet 
and more in depth are now 300 feet or less. Cer- 
tain it is that the coast line has been materially 
changed, and from the soundings, the conformation 
of the ocean bed also. 

"As we near Palmi, we see three Italian war ves- 
sels lying at anchor in the harbor distributing sup- 
plies, as well as rescuing the sufferers. The ruins 
don't look as bad here as at Messina, but what a 
sight it is after all! Of a little over 10,000 inhabi- 
tants, 4,500 lie under those piled up heaps of ruins. 
In that little town 3,700 victims were carried down 
to death in a moment. It was here and at Scylla 
and Messina that the tidal wave did its worst. 

"As we draw near to Reggio, we see a sight 
even more appalling to the eye than Messina at 
first glance. Out of 35,000, 31,000 were lost. Yet 
strange to say, Reggio is today more habitable than 
Messina. We see some shops open and doing busi- 
ness still; in Messina, not a single shop is open save 
those opened in the streets, on rough boards, for 
the distribution of supplies. Here some people can 
still live in parts of their homes. 

"Just a little south lies Palerro on the coast. 
Palerro was small, just a distant suburb indeed of 
Reggio, seven miles away. But notwithstanding its 
smallness, 3,300 dead lie in the ruins of that once 
thriving place. So it is all down the coast as far 
as Melito. Seismographic waves are not stopped 
by curves or angles. Like an express train rounding 
a turn at lightning speed, the earthquake wave 



FAIR ITALY'S APPALLING CALAMITY 229 

rounded the southern extremity of Italy, struck 
Melito a deadly blow and left 2,300 dead lying in 
its wake. 

"But why follow it further! The sights and 
scenes witnessed are enough for a life-time. Cala- 
bria for eighty-six miles, or from Palmi on the west 
coast to Messina, to Gerace on the east coast, is one 
long line of ruins, with fifty towns or more over- 
thrown, while innumerable villages and hamlets in 
the mountains in between them have been partially 
or totally destroyed. On the east coast of Sicily, 
from Messina to Nizza, a distance of seventeen 
miles, a score of towns lie in dust heaps, while off 
the coast and in the mountains dozens of others are 
gradually sending in their lists of dead. 

"Yes it is truly awful, it is horrible; but God is 
good, and Christian sympathy is not wanting; and 
soon we shall see smiling fields amid these scenes of 
desolation, and thriving cities plying again their 
thousand wheels of trade; for Messina, Reggio, Palmi 
and all the rest of these coast towns will build again, 
as they did after the earthquake of 1783, and work 
out their lives even in the shadow of impending 
death." 

Meanwhile, having done their part in the gen- 
eral relief work, where their gifts were the means 
of saving thousands of famishing and destitute, the 
readers of The Christian Herald found providen- 
tially allotted to them the special task of providing 
shelter, food, clothing, and medicines for the poor 
Italian widowed mothers and their helpless babies. 
Dr. Klopsch, in a cable message to the Italian Pre- 



230 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

mier, obtained the approval of Queen Helena to 
establish a Mothers' and Babies' Fund, under the 
Queen's own supervision. Her Majesty personally 
conducted the organization of this work, and it was 
quickly under way. 

Queen Helena, who made this beautiful "mother 
and child" charity her own, had attracted the 
attention of the whole civilized world by her splen- 
did conduct during the events immediately follow- 
ing the catastrophe. She was by the King's side 
when he hastened in a special train to the scene of 
the disaster. Queen Helena was an angel of mercy. 
It seemed as if she were everywhere at the call of 
want. No sister of charity ever worked more wisely 
or with greater tenderness. The peasants of Cala- 
bria were very loyal to their King and Queen, whose 
pictures adorned many humble cottage walls, but 
thenceforth Queen Helena was for them a patron 
saint of mercy. 

It is interesting to study the steps by which this 
queenly woman developed into a character so fair 
and gracious. Born a princess of the little Balkan 
principality of Montenegro, she was one of six daugh- 
ters and two sons who composed the family of her 
father, Nicholas. Since Montenegro is not a rich 
country, the children of Nicholas were trained in the 
Spartan virtues of fearlessness and economy. Helena 
from childhood was accustomed to the free out-door 
life of a mountain girl, riding and hunting with her 
brothers, and climbing with them the steep hill- 
paths as safely and swiftly as any village maiden 
might. She and her sisters were educated in St. 



FAIR ITALY'S APPALLING CALAMITY 231 

Petersburg under the direction, and at the expense, 
of the Czar, Alexander III, a near kinsman of the 
royal house of Montenegro. Helena was married 
October 4, 1896, to Victor Emmanuel, Prince of 
Naples and heir-apparent to the throne of Italy. 
After the assassination of King Humbert, Victor 
Emmanuel succeeded to the throne, and Helena 
took her place among the royal women of Europe. 
She is a devoted wife and mother. Her children, 
three girls and a boy, are the objects of her personal 
care. 

Through the funds raised by Dr. Klopsch, the sum 
of $1,000 per day was supplied to this special benev- 
olence during the emergency, and was faithfully 
expended in a way that met with the Queen's ap- 
proval. This was one of the most effective agencies 
in the Italian work, and relieved much distress. 

A special message from the Italian Ambassador 
conveyed Queen Helena's thanks to Dr. Klopsch. 
It was as follows: 

Royal Italian Embassy, 
Washington, D. C, February 11, 1909. 
Dr. Louis Klopsch, 

Christian Herald, New York. 
On behalf of her gracious Majesty, Queen Helena, I have 
the pleasure of expressing to you, and through you to The 
Christian Herald and its readers, her Majesty's warmest thanks 
for the conspicuous and generous contribution to her fund for 
mothers and children of the earthquake-stricken regions. 

(Signed) Mayor des Planches. 

Early in the relief campaign, an appeal was made 
to The Christian Herald in behalf of the Waldenses, 



232 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

whose churches and people in both Sicily and Cala- 
bria had suffered greatly from the earthquake. The 
Waldenses are the descendants of the famous band 
of Christians who were bitterly persecuted for their 
faith in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and 
who gave hundreds of noble martyrs to the cause 
of Christ. Their original home was in the valley 
of Piedmont, but thriving despite persecution, they 
became, though small, one of the most energetic and 
devoted Protestant missionary churches the world 
has known. 

In the section of southern Italy devastated, the 
Waldensians had forty-jBve churches, some in sea- 
coast towns and others in remote villages in the 
interior. Hundreds of their members were killed 
in the great cataclysm, and the injured reached a 
much larger number. Most of the churches were 
in ruins. To assist the injured and homeless Wal- 
densians, The Christian Herald, in answer to their 
appeal, sent $5,000 to Rev. Arturo Murton, Presi- 
dent of the Waldensian Missionary Board in Rome. 
Pastor Murton, in a letter to Dr. Klopsch, acknowl- 
edged the great benefit received from the sum. In 
this letter he said: 

The language of suffering is understood by every human 
being, but it moves those who have never known each other 
before to such sympathy that only intimate acquaintances 
and long intercourse could secure. The appalling disaster of 
Messina and Reggio will mark a special date in the tri- 
umphs of Christian charity. We are particularly indebted to 
your kind-hearted and generous-hearted countrymen for their 
prompt and conspicuous help, and I beg you to convey our 
expression of deep gratitude to the readers of The Christian 



FAIR ITALY'S APPALLING CALAMITY 233 

Herald for the valuable contribution of $5,000 you have kindly 
remitted to our committee. 

As the Lord has provided for the bread tliat perishes, on 
behalf of the sufferers. He will certainly also enable us to 
dispense to them the bread of hfe and help us to find the 
means necessary to rear again His house out of the ruins. 

The Waldensian Evangelical Church, through the 
Rev. F. Albert Costabel, Delegate to the Evangelical 
Churches of North America, also wrote Dr. Klopsch, 
as the representative in America of the Waldensian 
Church of Italy, to tell him in its name, and in his 
own, how deeply grateful they were to him, and to 
the subscribers of The Christian Herald, for the most 
generous and welcome gift. His letter concluded: 

It is a cause of great comfort and joy to me to have the 
privilege of sending you their thanks for the new hope such 
Christian sympathy and magnificent liberahty have caused 
to shine upon their blighted lives. 

Subscriptions to the earthquake relief fund were 
closed early in March. The audited financial state- 
ment showed receipts of contributions from all 
sources of $71,805.90, and disbursements of the 
total amount, except $5.92. 

Some weeks after the relief work was concluded. 
Dr. Klopsch decided to make a brief trip to Europe 
for the sake of recreation and the rest which the ocean 
voyage would afford him. He allowed himself just 
a month for the round trip to Hamburg and back to 
New York. When it was known in Washington that 
he was going to Europe, the Italian Embassy at once 
communicated the news to Rome and arrangements 
were made to have the King receive Dr. Klopsch. 



234 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS EXOPSCH 

He had not himself planned a visit to Italy, fearing 
that his time was far too limited. But when he 
reached Hamburg, the messages which came were 
so imperative that he felt bound to make the journey. 
This he did and was received with marks of the 
greatest gratitude on the part of the Italian peo- 
ple, and of high honor on the part of the Italian 
Government. 

Dr. Klopsch's story of his visit to Rome and his 
audiences were penciled by him in hurried intervals 
on loose sheets of paper. It is written in his direct, 
nervous style. His own account of the interview 
and of his visit to Rome is so much more graphic 
than could be written by any one else that the story 
is given complete as he wrote it, and as it was pub- 
lished in The Christian Herald: 

An Audience with King Victor Emmanuel III 

I had determined to take a month's vacation to 
put myself in good trim for the summer's work at 
Mont -Lawn, and together with my wife took passage 
on the Hamburg American Liner Amerika on April 
10. My program was very short. Nine days over, 
ten days on shore and nine back. We were three 
days out when I received a wireless cablegram in- 
forming me that when Baron Mayor des Planches, 
the Italian Ambassador at Washington, heard that 
I had started for Europe, he expressed the hope 
that I would visit Rome in order that I might see 
the King. To facilitate matters, he immediately for- 
warded, by the Kronprinz Wilhelm, letters of intro- 
duction, which I would find on my arrival at Berlin. 



FAIR ITALY'S APPALLING CALAMITY 2S5 

As this was in twenty years my first protracted 
outing with my wife, and our plans had all been 
arranged in advance, I hesitated to make the trip 
to Rome, as it would cut out five of the ten days 
we had planned to spend together in Europe. 

But when I reached Berlin, the letters forwarded 
by the Italian Ambassador determined my course. 
There was an introduction to His Excellency Prime 
Minister Tittoni, another to customs and railway 
officials requesting them to show the traveler every 
courtesy in their power consistent with their duty, 
and another one addressed to me personally urging 
me to go to Rome where the Government had already 
been advised of my prospective visit. The last letter 
was so cordial and insistent that I concluded it to 
be my bounden duty to go. 

Monday morning at a quarter past one I took the 
train at Leipzig and traveled forty hours, reaching 
the Eternal City Tuesday afternoon. I at once com- 
municated with Hon. Lloyd C. Griscom, the Amer- 
ican Ambassador, and received from him a letter 
stating that the King was at his country palace and 
regretted much that he could not receive me the 
following day as he and the Queen were scheduled 
to leave in the morning direct for Naples where they 
were to meet the King and Queen of England and 
the Dowager Empress of Russia. Now I had prom- 
ised my wife that I would sail home with her on the 
Amerika; she to sail from Hamburg, Germany, on 
Thursday, and I on the following day from Cher- 
bourg, France. Hence I could not await the King's 
convenience without disappointing her. I therefore 



236 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

telephoned Ambassador Griscom that I must leave 
Rome the following day, and also telegraphed my 
wife to that effect. That was nine o'clock in the 
evening. 

Two hours later a large envelope addressed to me 
and marked urgentissimo (very urgent) was left at 
the Hotel Quirinal, where I stopped. It was imme- 
diately brought to my room, and on opening it I was 
informed by Ambassador Griscom that he had read 
over the 'phone to Prime Minister Tittoni the Ital- 
ian Ambassador's letter and acquainted him with 
my inability to stay longer than the next afternoon. 
Shortly after he had received a letter stating that 
His Majesty the King had decided to come to Rome 
in the morning and would receive Dr. Klopsch in 
private audience at 10.30. Would Ambassador 
Griscom kindly inform Dr. Klopsch of the King's 
determination .f^ 

Then next morning a coach was ordered, and in 
accordance with the program a visit was paid to 
the Ambassador's residence, where the driver was 
supplemented by a tall footman wearing a red, white 
and blue cockade at the side of his high black silk 
hat. Then I was driven to the Royal Palace, while 
the pedestrians on the streets peered in through the 
open windows to get a glimpse of the lonely occu- 
pant of the impressive equipage. We arrived a few 
minutes after ten and I alighted, and, flanked by 
the footman, walked through a very long courtyard 
on either side of which there were numerous soldiers 
dressed in gorgeous uniforms who saluted in military 
fashion as we passed them. Then down another 



FAIR ITALY'S APPALLING CALAMITY 237 

courtyard at right angles with the former until we 
reached the entrance to the palace, before which there 
were still more soldiers. Here the footman left 
me, and ascending the steps I was escorted by two 
uniformed men up two flights, at the head of which 
a door opened and I was ushered into an ante- 
room where two gentlemen in waiting received me, 
mentioning my name and introducing themselves. 
One of them then went back to guard the door 
leading to the royal reception room, while the other 
engaged me in conversation. 

We discussed many subjects, including the pace of 
different European countries in the construction of 
Dreadnoughts, "Think of it," said he, "$15,000,000 
for a single Dreadnought — 75,000,000 lire. How very, 
very much money! Our country is too poor. We 
cannot do it." Then he talked of the great things 
America had done for Italy to reheve the suffering 
incident to the fearful calamity that had befallen 
his country. Just then the door opened and he im- 
mediately left me and went inside. A minute after 
he returned and announced "His Majesty will now 
receive Dr. Klopsch." 

I may say here that as when I left New York I 
had no idea of a royal audience, I lacked the regula- 
tion clothes, but Ambassador Griscom had set me at 
rest by saying that His Majesty was a very common- 
sense man, and that a dark suit would answer the 
requirements. I therefore entered the royal recep- 
tion room in a plain dark cut-away suit. 

Almost at the very door the King received me, 
taking my hand and shaking it, remarking at the 



238 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

same time, "What a beautiful work you are doing! 
Come sit down." And down we sat, but not before 
I had thanked His Majesty for inconveniencing him- 
seK to grant me this interview. When we were 
seated, I had abundant opportunity to notice the 
quiet, unassuming King and to enjoy his excellent 
Enghsh. He spoke freely and without any hesita- 
tion, as though English were his mother-tongue. 

He said that the princely generosity of America 
had deeply touched his heart, and he was glad of the 
opportunity to give expression to his sincerest grati- 
tude for the very practical sympathy of the Ameri- 
can people, and in behalf of the Queen he wished 
to thank me personally for what she, through the 
liberality of the readers of The Christian Herald, had 
been enabled to do for the relief of widowed mothers 
and fatherless babes. "America," he continued, "is 
a rich country; indeed very, very wealthy, and its 
people know how to use the bounties of a Kind 
Providence in a way that must be pleasing to the 
giver of every good gift." 

Then he asked me, "How do you raise such vast 
sums.f^ Do the millionaires of your country give you 
large amounts.^" 

I replied that the money comes chiefly from people 
in moderate circumstances who give as God has 
given them and in His name. "Then they must be 
very good people. Do they give large sums?" 

"No," I answered; "the average contribution is 
$2.75." 

"Oh, that is very large; 14 lire is a great deal of 
money in Italy." 



FAIB ITALY'S APPALLING CALAMITY 239 

Then I cited some specimen cases of real sacrifice, 
and the King was deeply affected at the incidents 
brought to his attention. He told me that he 
knew a good deal about the charitable work of The 
Christian Herald, but when I told him that in fifteen 
years it has received and disbursed over $3,000,000, 
it seemed to the King almost incredible. 

"Fifteen million lire," he said, as though in ItaKan 
money he could better reahze the enormous propor- 
tion of this labor of love. 

He changed the subject for a while, saying that 
he was very sorry that Ambassador Griscom was to 
leave. "He is a fine man and very popular here. 
Too bad he must go." 

I ventured to remark that he would probably 
continue to stay for some time, as owing to the 
crisis in Turkey it was unUkely that Ambassador 
Leishman, who had been transferred from Con- 
stantinople to Rome, could leave his present post for 
a while. 

"Only a few days perhaps," he repHed, thus imply- 
ing that this new order of things in Turkey was 
practically an accomplished fact. 

"Is it not marvelous that the Sultan could so 
long retain the throne while all Europe was making 
tremendous strides, and Turkey alone remained 
stagnant?" I inquired. 

"Thirty-seven years," the King replied, and then 
continued, "The Sultan was a very hard-working 
man. He worked eighteen hours a day and knew 
minutely all that was going on. I am surprised that 
the Young Turk movement could have so suddenly 



240 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KXOPSCH 

overwhelmed him. He must lately have been very 
poorly and incorrectly informed." 

Changing the subject again, the king said: 

"I was very much pleased at meeting ex-President 
Roosevelt the other day at Messina. He is a fine 
man. He must be shooting wild animals by this 
time." 

I expressed regret at the injury which the Queen 
was reported to have met with while ministering to 
the suffering at Messina. 

''It is said that she fractured a rib," said I. 

He replied, "Oh no, she stumbled and fell, striking 
against a bottle, bruising herself, but now she is fully 
restored." 

"You have met many crowned heads?" queried he. 
In reply I mentioned a number, among them the 
Queen of England and the Dowager Empress of 
Russia. 

"I am to meet them both to-morrow at Naples," 
was his response, with a smile that indicated that he 
anticipated a pleasant time. 

"You have also met the Emperor of Russia?" 

"I have," I answered; "I fear that he is not very 
happy, the papers say he is not." 

"There you are mistaken; the Emperor of Russia 
is very happy and contented, and one must not 
believe half the papers say," he said with a pleasant 
smile. 

"How many copies does The Christian Herald 
circulate?" the King inquired. 

"Two hundred and forty-six thousand a week." 

"Two hundred and forty-six thousand," repeated 



FAIR ITALY'S APPALLING CALAMITY 241 

he. "That is a large number. You must reach over 
two million people a week." He figured here in Italy 
that every paper is read by ten people on the average. 
"How long do you own the paper .f^" 

"About twenty years." 

"What was its circulation then.'^" 

"Thirty-one thousand." 

"You must be very proud," was his comment on 
this bit of information. "I have also heard of your 
great work in India," he added. 

We talked over several of the more important 
charitable enterprises which our subscribers had 
enabled us to engage in, and particularly of our 
Children's Home at Mont-Lawn, at which over five 
hundred Italian boys and girls and twenty -five hun- 
dred others are entertained every summer. The 
King requested me to send him a descriptive circular 
of the Home, as "that charity is so beautiful." 

We had conversed over an hour, when the King, 
looking at his watch, said, "I will now have to take 
my train to Naples." We arose, he shook me by the 
hand and wished me a pleasant voyage home, led me 
to the door, and with another hand-shake we parted 
and the audience was over. 

The next day the daily papers of Rome printed 
a very complimentary account of the great work of 
The Christian Herald, making especial appreciative 
mention of the generous share it took in Messina 
relief work, particularly among mothers and children 
under the direction of gracious Queen Helena. 



CHAPTER XIV 



OUR OWN AND NEARBY LANDS 

HOME RELIEF WORK NEW YORK IN THE WINTER OF 1893-94 REV. STEPHEN 

MERRITT's travelers' club DR. KLOPSCH ESTABLISHES FOOD AND FUEL 

STATIONS END OF THE DISTRESS SUFFERING CAUSED BY CROP FAILURES 

IN 1894 SUCCOR FOR THE WESTERN STATES INCIDENTS OF A PERSONAL 

VISIT AID IN THE GALVESTON TIDAL WAVE OF 1900 HELP FOR THE 

KANSAS FLOOD SUFFERERS IN 1903 CONTRIBUTION TO THE SAN FRANCISCO 

EARTHQUAKE SUFFERERS IN 1906 HURRICANE AND FLOOD IN PORTO RICO 

IN 1899 "christian herald" contributions DESTRUCTIVE WATERS 

AT MONTEREY, MEXICO, IN 1909 DR. KLOPSCH SENDS MONEY AND BLANKETS 

APPRECIATION. 

THE American people are blessed with a happy 
freedom from frequent and long-continued 
suffering. Yet calamities sometimes come. 
Occasionally there is need of temporary help in some 
section of the country, while at the same time in 
other sections there is an abundance, and those who 
have it are ready to give. In the winter of 1893-94 
there was much suffering among the poor in New 
York City. It was a time of industrial and financial 
depression. The season was unusually severe, and 
there was a great dearth of employment among both 
skilled and unskilled workers. Thousands of families 
were in temporary, yet deep poverty. 

At a time when there were multitudes of hungry 
men thronging the streets of New York, thousands 
of them absolutely homeless and destitute, the 
problem of the poor appealed to the sympathizing 
hearts of Christian people everywhere. Among the 

242 



OUR OWN AND NEARBY LANDS 243 

agencies actively engaged in relieving the most urgent 
form of suffering, the pangs of hunger and cold, 
that of the Eighth Avenue Mission, established 
by Stephen Merritt, the preacher-philanthropist, 
was unique. Mr. Merritt was the father-in-law 
of Dr. Klopsch. He had established a year previ- 
ously the "Travelers' Club" for all comers, which 
was an outgrowth of his Eighth Avenue Mission. 
The Travelers' Club at the outset was composed of 
the poorest, lowest, and most wretched unfortunates, 
who assembled in the large hall of the Eighth 
Avenue Mission between five and seven o'clock 
every morning and were refreshed with a wholesome 
and abundant meal of meat, bread, and fragrant 
coffee. All were welcome regardless of nationality, 
color, or creed. It sufficed that the wanderer was 
hungry. 

During the distress of this hard winter, two thou- 
sand persons a day were fed at the Eighth Avenue 
Mission. The readers of The Christian Herald helped 
to contribute the funds which made this possible. 

Relief on a more extended scale became neces- 
sary. Some of the pastors and missionary workers 
in the tenement districts appealed to Dr. Klopsch 
to do something for the poor at home, and he 
responded by establishing a "food-fund" and open- 
ing more than a dozen relief stations in different 
sections of the city, most of them on the East Side. 
Coal, wood, and oil stations were also established, 
from which was distributed fuel. Medical aid was 
also provided. 

Dr. Klopsch rented a building in Stuyvesant 



244 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Street, as a "food-fund headquarters," and organized 
a committee of eighteen city pastors, each of whom 
arranged for a local headquarters, either in his church 
basement, or some suitable apartment near at hand. 
Thousands of destitute homes were gladdened. Not 
only money and food, but quantities of garments, 
hats, shoes and rolls of cloth were sent in response 
to the calls for help. The Stuyvesant Street place 
took on the appearance of a general country store 
on a large scale, and the branch relief stations were 
kept busy distributing food, fuel and clothing to some 
twelve hundred families, averaging five persons each, 
according to a regular system which included an 
investigation of each case before relief was granted. 
Contributions came from all over the country, espe- 
cially of food and clothing. In the town of Mound- 
ridge, Kansas, the generous people loaded up a freight 
car with a quantity of flour, which was equivalent to 
the whole week's bread supply for the fund, and 
shipped it to New York. It was known as the 
"Pioneer Car," and when it reached New York the 
flour was baked into loaves and distributed. Then 
contributions came from other sources. 

A feature of the relief work was the mission band 
which undertook the labor of distribution. From a 
modest beginning with a few missionaries as district 
visitors, the band gradually extended its operations 
as the means multiplied, until twenty-seven mission- 
aries and assistants were engaged in house to house 
visitation among the destitute poor. Throughout 
the entire work Mrs. Klopsch bore an active part, 
cooperating with the missionaries in their duties and 



OUR OWN AND NEARBY LANDS 245 

personally visiting many distressed homes where 
hunger and despair had shut out hope until her 
husband's relief measures through the '* food-fund" 
turned the gloom to sunshine. 

Toward spring the distress lightened in the tene- 
ment districts, and with the advent of milder weather 
and improved industrial conditions, many of the idle 
were able to obtain work. Consequently the relief 
was closed. The pastors of the city churches, who 
had cooperated in the relief, united in a testimonial 
as to the remarkable efficiency of the "food-fund," and 
praising it as a timely Christ-like service to humanity. 
The signers included: Rev. R. S. MacArthur, D.D.; 
Rev. C. W. Millard; Rev. J. C. Thomas; Rev. H. 
Faust; Rev. J. A. B. Wilson; Rev. C. Wright; Rev. 
J. B. Stansberry; Rev. E. L. Fox, and Rev. Wm. 
Hamilton. 

In the late fall and early winter of 1894 stories 
came of suffering in Nebraska and Kansas. A 
drought during the previous summer had made the 
crops a failure. It was a bad year everywhere for 
the western farmers. In a score or more of counties 
of Nebraska and Kansas, and in some sections of 
Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma, many families were 
in actual want. There was really a famine in one 
of the richest agricultural regions of the United States. 
The suffering people, however, were slow to make 
known their distress. They hoped to get through 
the winter without succor from outside. But it 
became apparent that unless aid came from beyond 
their own states, many would not get through the 
winter at all. Letters received in The Christian 



246 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Herald office from more than a hundred different 
locahties in Kansas and Nebraska told the same 
story of privation, — fine farms destroyed by the 
two years' drought; empty barns, and still emptier 
larders; stock dying for want of feed, and men, 
women, and children weakened from long hunger 
and freezing for lack of clothing and fuel. 

Dr. Klopsch, when the facts were known, estab- 
lished a relief fund for the western sufferers. This 
he supplemented by a central relief depot in upper 
Broadway to which boxes, barrels, and packages of 
clothing and supplies could be sent for free trans- 
portation to Kansas and Nebraska. All seemed 
eager to help the West, and both supplies and money 
poured in. The nation's great heart was touched. 
A corps of volunteer distributors was established 
in the West to distribute the supplies that were 
forwarded. Thanks came from the Governor of 
Nebraska, and from officials, which showed that the 
gifts were not only needed, but that they were being 
properly handled. Dr. Klopsch decided to go West 
himself in order to see how the work of distribution 
was going on, and report to the readers of The Chris- 
tian Herald the use made of their contributions. 

"No one can travel over the plains," he tele- 
graphed, "and see the present condition of these 
people, without being convinced that their story of 
destitution and helplessness has not been told." 

He first went to Nebraska, then to Colorado, and 
from there to Kansas. The tour took three weeks. 
Public officials, local committees, and the people 
everywhere welcomed Dr. Klopsch, and profited by 



OUR OWN AND NEARBY LANDS 247 

his advice as to the best method of distributing the 
reHef. He had two points in view. These were to 
reach and reheve as expeditiously as possible those 
sections where the suffering was the sharpest, and 
to create new centers of Christian work at advan- 
tageous points. 

Dr. Klopsch made a special contribution from The 
Christian Herald fund of $1,000 for the rehef of the 
Nebraska Grand Army of the Republic veterans, 
since many of the old soldiers were in great need. 
"In the carrying out of this work," he wrote, "I 
have traveled more than half-way through Nebraska, 
throughout the entire length of Kansas, and through 
Colorado as far as Denver." 

Not only immediate needs, but the future also had 
to be looked to, since the next year's crop must be 
provided for. The Chicago Board of Trade, appre- 
ciating the situation, appointed a committee to raise 
a seed-fund. Various leading seedsmen sent to The 
Christian Herald vegetable seed in generous quanti- 
ties. One philanthropic seedsman, J. J. H. Gregory, 
of Marblehead, Mass., provided vegetable seed to 
plant about a fifth of an acre to a thousand families. 
Others made similar contributions. 

In the meantime, with the advent of spring, the 
conditions improved, the people were able to provide 
for the next season's crops, and it became possible 
to close the relief work. In addition to the contri- 
butions of food, clothing, and other suppUes, The 
Christian Herald had raised $26,825.40. 

The gratitude of the western people was made 
manifest in many ways. Numerous resolutions 



248 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

were adopted, and thanks were expressed to the 
readers of The Christian Herald, At the Annual 
Encampment of the Grand Army of the E-epubhc of 
Nebraska, a special resolution was adopted thanking 
Dr. Klopsch and his readers for their contributions 
in the time of need. 

On the night of September 8, 1900, the southern 
and central counties of Texas were swept by a West 
Indian hurricane of wide-spread extent and un- 
precedented violence. For thirty hours it raged 
unabated, and it was accompanied by great tidal 
waves which swept the entire coast line of the state, 
submerging many of the cities and towns along the 
Gulf, and carrying death and devastation far inland. 
Nearly a hundred towns and villages suffered from 
the onrush of the great wall of water from the Gulf. 

The city of Galveston was the greatest sufferer, 
being in the center of the storm track. Galveston 
is built on an island. The storm began Saturday 
morning, and by noon the whole city was alarmed, 
and the people were abandoning their houses. The 
wind and rain were violent beyond description. By 
three in the afternoon the Gulf waters were rushing 
into the Bay. At dark the whole city was under 
water, and 40,000 souls were facing death. Nearly 
all the buildings were destroyed. The big sea-going 
steamers Alamo^ Launton, Red Cross, and Kendall 
Gylla and others were wrecked in the harbor, and 
over one hundred other craft of all sorts suffered a 
like fate. The mainland was strewn with wreckage 
and corpses. Seven hundred bodies were washed 
ashore at Virginia Point. A relief train, which 



OUR OWN AND NEARBY LANDS 249 

started from Houston, found the territory covered 
with lumber, debris, pianos, trunks, bedding, furni- 
ture, and dead bodies. The whole country was 
strewn with wrecked property. In all between six 
and seven thousand persons lost their lives in the 
Galveston disaster. 

But there were the survivors to think of and to 
care for. As the tales of heroism shown amid the 
awful scenes became known, there were also accounts 
of the relief that would be necessary temporarily. 
Great quantities of food and medicines were needed 
in order to confront the danger of temporary famine. 
The state of Texas, and what was left of the city of 
Galveston, made noble efforts to provide for their 
own, but the rest of the country was also called on. 

"This is not a cry from a foreign land," said The 
Christian Herald, "but from our own Christian 
brothers and sisters at home." 

Immediately on receiving the first intelligence of 
the disaster, Dr. Klopsch had telegraphed to Gover- 
nor Sayers to draw at sight for $1,000 for the relief 
work, and asking how help could be most speedily 
and effectively rendered. Governor Sayers replied ac- 
cepting the gift with thanks. Offers of help were also 
telegraphed by Dr. Klopsch to the Galveston and 
Houston authorities. The Christian Herald further 
opened a relief headquarters in Galveston under the 
charge of special commissioners. The contributions 
which were received were promptly and effectively 
applied, and the contributors knew that they were 
sharing in the great work of relief. 

A period of distress came to the people of the 



250 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Southwest in the summer of 1903, when the worst 
flood that had been known in thirty years visited 
Kansas and Missouri. It became evident during the 
last days of May. that the Kansas and Missouri rivers 
were sweUing to the danger mark, the spring freshets 
having been late and extremely heavy. On the last 
day of May the flood came with terrific violence, 
accompanied by heavy rains, and soon the lowlands 
along the river front at Kansas City were a vast sea. 
At Kansas City, Topeka, and other points extending 
for many miles either way, the raging rivers swept 
over embankments and covered the bottom-lands 
with from eight to thirty feet of water, carrying 
havoc and death with the inrushing flood. Sixteen 
bridges over the Kansas River went down under the 
force of the torrent. 

The scenes of suffering and anxiety during the three 
or four days when the flood was at its maximum were 
never seen equalled by the people of that part of 
the country. In Kansas City 20,000 persons were 
homeless. In Topeka 7,000 flood refugees had to 
be cared for. The streets were like canals, and the 
country for miles around was flooded. In North 
Topeka, hundreds were imprisoned in their houses 
by the swift rise of the waters. Men and women 
could be seen in the upper parts of the houses 
waving clothes as signals of distress, or shouting for 
aid. The darkness of the nights was made appalling 
by the frequent cries for help. In the daytime, 
bodies could be seen floating down the rivers. Many 
daring rescues were reported. One man drew from 
the river a cradle with a baby in it, the Httle one 



OUR OWN AND NEARBY LANDS 251 

unhurt and having escaped death almost miracu- 
lously. 

In response to appeals for aid on behalf of the 
homeless refugees, Dr. Klopsch telegraphed to Mayor 
Craddock of Kansas City, Kansas, and the Rev. 
Charles M. Sheldon, of Topeka, authorizing them to 
draw on him for $1,000 each for rehef work, which was 
done. Further contributions were received and were 
promptly forwarded until the emergency was passed. 

Writing from Topeka to The Christian Herald, Pas- 
tor C. M. Sheldon said: "Topeka is divided into two 
parts by the Kansas River. The south side w^as not 
affected by the flood, but the north side, containing 
about 10,000 people, was completely submerged. 
Many people were drowned, and the entire number 
of inhabitants rendered homeless for the time being. 
Many houses have been completely sw^ept away, and 
the damage to property is beyond computation. It 
is safe to say that thousands of people in Topeka will 
lose everything, and the churches on the north side 
are in very great need. 

"A large part of the money that I receive from 
outside sources, I shall try to use in the reestablish- 
ment of the religious and educational work of the 
city where it has been affected. Topeka would not 
have turned to the outside world for help, if it had 
not felt unable to cope with the situation. What- 
ever The Christian Herald can do will be gratefully 
received, and if we have more than can be well used 
here, we will simply pass it on to the thousands of 
suffering farmers and citizens in other parts of the 
state." 



252 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

It was on an April day in 1906, the 18th, that the 
nation was stunned by the news that San Francisco 
had been smitten by an earthquake, and that the 
entire business section of the beautiful Californian 
city lay in ruins. After the jBrst brief message, no 
word came for some time. Wires were down in all 
directions, and communication was entirely cut off. 
But later came confirmation of the great disaster. 
Survivors, who told the story of that terrible morn- 
ing's experience, said that crowds of people ran to- 
gether in the streets, many of them half -clad. As 
the earth swung and rocked beneath them, and as 
buildings toppled, the frantic people cried out to 
each other amid their sobs that it was the end of the 
world. They talked in shrill voices half hysterically. 
The oscillations from north to south seemed to twist 
the ground to its center. Many felt the straining 
and indescribable nausea which accompany earth- 
quakes. 

Spectators described their sensations when the 
earthquake struck. They were awakened from 
peaceful sleep by the crash of breaking glass, the 
straining of timbers, and the rocking of floors. The 
blow seemed to come from the north, and it caused 
the earth to heave violently. People who sprang 
from their beds grasped anything within reach to 
steady themselves. The walls of the rooms seemed 
to be moved out, and the furniture and other articles 
were shaken and roughly thrown to one side. Shrill 
screams of terror rose above the noise of grinding 
timbers and falling masonry. The earth shocks 
were sharp and definite, and the oscillations were 



OUR OWN AND NEARBY LANDS 253 

like those of a vessel in a choppy sea. Then when 
the terror was at its highest tension, there was a 
plausible relaxation, and final tremor of the ground, 
and the earthquake was over. But what a trans- 
formation had been wrought in a few moments! 

All that eventful day the fires spread and the city 
was like a furnace. Dynamite was employed, and 
whole blocks of buildings were blown up and leveled 
in the hope that the fiery destruction might be stayed 
at the open spaces, but it was a vain hope. By far 
the greater part of the ruin of San Francisco was 
wrought by fire which literally seemed to spring up 
out of the ground after the shocks had ceased. 

Some idea of the vastness of the ruin was gathered 
when it was known that 30,000 buildings were de- 
stroyed, and fully 300,000 persons made homeless, 
while more than 1,000 persons lost their lives. 

Refugees poured from the city by tens of thou- 
sands. 

When the report of the disaster reached the other 
parts of the country, relief committees were organized 
at once. General Funston, who was in command of 
the United States troops in San Francisco, appealed 
for tents, clothing, and food, and soon considerable 
quantities of provisions began to reach the city from 
nearby towns. These were quickly swollen by food 
and clothing from towns further away. 

The rehef work in San Francisco was in charge of 
the American Red Cross. Dr. Klopsch, on behalf of 
The Christian Herald, immediately addressed W. C. 
Langdon, the Secretary of the Society, enclosing 
a contribution of $5,000, and promising more. 



254 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Further contributions were made, and The Christian 
Herald readers knew that they were helping in this 
rehef work, as in so many other calamities when 
succor was called for. 

The beautiful tropical island of Porto Rico was 
swept by a hurricane in the autumn of 1899. It had 
been ceded by Spain to the United States as the 
result of the war for the liberation of Cuba, and 
was therefore an American possession. The Govern- 
ment was then carried on by the military authority. 

Flood followed the hurricane, and from all over 
the island came reports of its tremendous extent and 
terrible destructive power. The great rivers were 
swollen to the proportions of mighty torrents, and 
swept everything before them. Towns, villages, and 
plantations disappeared. Whole houses were afloat, 
their occupants vainly hoping to find some secure 
lodgment, only to be tossed and assailed until the 
structure parted and the helpless ones were engulfed 
in the torrents of water. 

The hurricane and flood not only destroyed life, 
but they destroyed the means of life. Porto Rico 
is a densely populated little country having more 
than a million inhabitants. Coffee is its chief prod- 
uct, and the coffee plantations were almost entirely 
destroyed. 

The first measures to be taken were for immediate 
relief, and after that for restoring the coffee crop. 
General George W. Davis, who was the military 
commander, at once undertook to afford systematical 
relief, and to take charge of the supplies and con- 
tributions that were received from the United States. 



OUR OWN AND NEARBY LANDS 255 

Mrs. Guy V. Henry, wife of General Henry, and 
then President of the Women's Aid Society of 
Porto Rico, issued an appeal through The Christian 
Herald to the Christian mothers and daughters of 
America in behalf of the suffering women and chil- 
dren of Porto Rico. Among other things she said: 

"A country devastated by flood and famine cries 
out to us for aid at once. Not like India, or Armenia, 
or Russia, calling from a foreign land, and under a 
foreign flag, but with our own flag waving over its 
municipal buildings and carried through the streets 
by its little children singing * America' ; the land they 
all love and look to for aid now that flood and destruc- 
tion have laid waste that delightful island. Shall the 
cry of the homeless, starving people who welcomed 
us but a few months ago with gentle voices and open 
arms fall on deaf ears and plead in vain to unsym- 
pathizing hearts? Hear the call, oh great American 
people, and rise with grand response with one hand 
stretched out and send help." 

This and other appeals were not unheeded. It 
was believed that fully half the population of the 
island were in need, and at least a quarter of a mil- 
lion were on the verge of starvation. Food, cloth- 
ing, and money were provided for them through the 
recognized agencies. And great as was the need, it 
was relieved. Thousands of tons of food were sup- 
plied, great quantities of clothing, and in some cases 
ready money. The Christian Herald continued its 
contributions until the Government agencies were 
sufficiently established to insure the people of Porto 
Rico against further suffering. 



256 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

A near neighbor of the United States was visited 
by disaster in the late summer of 1909. An awful 
flood overwhelmed the thriving city of Monterey in 
northern Mexico, carrying down to death more than 
2,000 human beings, and destroying $3,000,000 in 
property. Only an earthquake could have been 
more sudden and troubling than the swift rush of 
waters which enguKed the Mexican city on the night 
of August 27. Monterey generally has difficulty in 
getting enough water for its ordinary needs. The 
bed of the Santa Catalina River, which winds down 
from the mountains, in summer is as dry as a bone, 
and the gaunt arches of the bridges span no water 
except at certain periods of the year. The district 
had been suffering from a drought, running more 
than fourteen months, and above all things rain was 
most desired by the people. When a rain storm came 
in July there was much rejoicing. A dry period fol- 
lowed, but on the evening of August 27, the rain 
began to fall, gently at first and then increasing 
to a down-pour. When the people went to sleep 
in their adobe houses, a good stream of water was 
rushing along the river bed beneath the arches of 
the bridges, and some of the flimsy huts had begun 
to leak, but no alarm was felt. Those who were 
awakened later by the thunder of the torrents of 
water, which seemed to fall in one great sheet, began 
to get uneasy. The blackness of the night was ter- 
rible, and the water was pouring down the streets as 
if they were soon to become a part of the Catalina 
River itseK. 

From the direction of the river came the alter- 
nate boom and roar of the flood. The water swayed 




HAVOC WROUGHT BY THE FLOOD IN MONTEREY STREETS 




THE RI^'ER FRONT IN MONTEREY DURING THE GREAT FLOOD 



OUR OWN AND NEARBY LANDS 257 

against the structures on the river bank, shaking them 
as if they were of paste and cardboard. Great sec- 
tions of earth were carried away, walls toppled, and 
the houses were crushed like egg-shells, the wreckage 
bearing down stream in a tangled and ever increas- 
ing mass. Engulfed in the angry waves were hun- 
dreds of hapless people who were unable to make 
their escape to upper parts of the city. 

Morning came, but the rain never ceased ; at times 
it seemed to increase in violence. The people made 
their way to the river banks, or rather to the edge 
of the lake, which was boiling through the city. 
For several blocks inward from the former bed of 
the river nearly every house had disappeared. For 
nearly four miles this was the situation. 

The storm continued for two days and a half. 
Then it began to slacken, and relief efforts were at 
once begun by the Mexicans and foreign residents. 
Philip C. Hanna, the American Consul- General, was 
one of the most active in relieving the distress. 
Knowing that aid from other sections would be 
necessary, he telegraphed to Dr. Klopsch saying that 
thousands were homeless, and that the suffering 
must continue for months to come, and that assist- 
ance would be appreciated. 

Dr. Klopsch's reply was promptly sent, as follows: 

New York, August 31, 1909. 
Hanna, Consul-General, 

Monterey, Mexico. 
Will honor your sight draft for $1,000 as our first 
contribution toward relief of stricken people of 
Monterey. 

(Signed) Louis Klopsch. 



258 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

The Consul-General at once telegraphed his grateful 
acknowledgment of the money, which he at once em- 
ployed in buying food and clothing for the destitute. 

The relief efforts of The Christian Herald continued 
in conjunction with the Consul-General and with the 
American Red Cross Society. One great need, as 
explained by Consul-General Hanna, was for clothing 
as the fall weather came on. This was met by Dr. 
Klopsch shipping blankets. First there were a thou- 
sand or so, then a larger number, until The Christian 
Herald readers had contributed twenty thousand 
blankets. They also sent a hundred sewing machines, 
which were wanted. 

Consul-General Hanna acknowledged the benefit 
in a telegram to Dr. Klopsch, and also in his official 
report to the State Department. This was made 
evident by the following telegram: 

Monterey, Mexico, October 24, 1909. 
Secretary of State, 

Washington, D. C. 
The thousands of blankets from the American Red Cross, 
The Christian Herald^ merchants and private citizens are arriv- 
ing and being distributed in Monterey, and sent to outlying 
towns affording relief to thousands of delicate women and 
children in the stricken districts. Scores of bags, bales and 
boxes of second-hand clothing are arriving from all parts of 
the United States. Demand very great, and much more will 
be needed. Corn, beans and rice come from different parts. 
Mexicans more fully than ever convinced that Americans are 
their friends. I have the hearty cooperation of clergy of all 
denominations and Mexican Red Cross. 

Dr. Klopsch also telegraphed direct to President 
Porfirio Diaz the desire The Christian Herald 



OUR OWN AND NEARBY LANDS 259 

to aid the suffering and received an immediate mes- 
sage of appreciation from Mexico's great execu- 
tive. The Mexican relief work was the last which 
it was permitted Dr. Klopsch to help, and it was a 
gratification to him that the aid extended through 
The Christian Herald should have been to a neighbor 
so friendly and so closely alhed to the United States 
as Mexico. 



CHAPTER XV 

THE BOWERY MISSION 

HUMAN DRIFTWOOD OF A GREAT CITY — ROMANTIC WAY IN WHICH DR. KLOPSCH 

BECAME INTERESTED IN THE MISSION FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ASSUMED 

LIFE BOAT FOR MORAL SHIPWRECKS MRS. BIRD's NOBLE LABORS 

SUPERINTENDENT HALLIMOND TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY A WOMAN's 

STORY OF THE THANKSGIVING DINNER THE BREAD LINE PATHOS OF A 

FUNERAL CELEBRATED VISITORS PASTOR CHARLES WAGNER's VISIT 

HIS OWN STORY OF A TYPICAL AUDIENCE INCIDENTS OF DR. KLOPSCH's 

WORK AMONG THE OUTCASTS TOLD BY ONE WHO KNEW PRESIDENT TAFT's 

VISIT THE CROWNING EVENT — HIS UPLIFTING TALK AS MAN TO MAN — 
"christian herald's" COMMENT. 

EVERY great city has its human drift-wood, 
its wrecks of men cast up by the tide of 
misfortune and despair. Hungry of body and 
starved of soul, both body and soul must be fed for 
their own salvation and the good of society. The 
histories of these men are a tragedy. The work of 
rescue, of reclamation and reformation, must be done 
by those in whom the spirit of sympathy is joined 
with practical, everyday common sense. 

In all his philanthropic and charitable labors as 
a comrade to humanity, doing a man's work among 
men, no chapter shines more brightly in the life- 
work of Dr. Klopsch than the story of what he did 
for the human drift-wood of the great city of New 
York. The means by which he did this was the 
Bowery Mission. 

The history of this remarkable mission is a simple 
one. It had been the wish of Jerry McAuley, of 



THE BOWERY MISSION 261 

the Water Street Mission, to establish a similar one 
on the Bowery. The Rev. A. J. Ruliffson, and Mrs. 
Ruliffson, engaged in mission work on the East Side, 
often talked over the subject with Mr. McAuley, 
and after much prayer and earnest thought, they 
opened a mission in an old dimly lighted room at 
No. 14 Bowery. Soon they found it necessary to 
seek more commodious quarters, and a suitable build- 
ing was rented at No. 36 Bowery. During the first 
year Mr. J. Ward Childs was Superintendent, Mr. 
Ruliffson being President. For fifteen years the 
work of rescue was carried on in the very center of 
vice and crime and degradation in America's leading 
city. To the Bowery drifted the waifs and strays, 
the wrecks and derelicts of humanity from all parts 
of the world. 

The romantic story of how Dr. Klopsch had his 
attention first directed to the work of the Mission 
he never seemed to tire of telling. He had been 
with Dr. Talmage on his memorable visit to the 
Holy Land, and on the return trip the party called 
at Smyrna. On landing they were met by John 
Parkinson, who at that time was superintendent of 
an English speaking seaman's mission at Smyrna. 
They accepted his invitation to visit the mission 
hall. During the course of the meeting Parkin- 
son *'gave his testimony," which was to the effect 
that many years previously he was a sailor and a 
low-down, besotted drunkard at that. One eveuing 
in New York, thoroughly intoxicated, he staggered 
into the Bowery Mission, thinking it was one of the 
many vile concert halls that then were the chief 



^6^ LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

characteristic of that famous street. He was taken 
care of by the mission workers, sobered up, and 
became soundly converted to God. For some time 
he continued his seafaring hfe, and wherever he 
went he lost no opportunity of telHng of the won- 
derful thing that happened him. In the course of 
a few years he became a seaman's missionary and 
ultimately was placed in charge of the mission in 
Smyrna. 

With the death of Superintendent Childs in the 
spring of 1895, there came a serious crisis in the his- 
tory of the Mission. For various reasons its old 
managers were unable to continue the work, which 
seemed doomed to come under purely secular control. 
Its usefulness was imperiled, and the question was 
raised whether it would not be well to abandon 
the work permanently and close the Mission. At 
this juncture some of its friends appealed to Dr. 
Klopsch in its behalf, and after a full investiga- 
tion he became convinced that with new manage- 
ment, more earnest effort, and a full dependence 
upon divine approval, the Mission might yet go on 
triumphantly. On April 1, 1895, he assumed the 
care of the Bowery Mission, with all its responsi- 
bilities and its enormous power for good. In de- 
scribing the scope of the work at that time, The 
Christian Herald said: 

"In every city of large population there are many 
men who, having gone down step by step in the 
paths of sin, have at last reached a depth beyond 
which it would seem impossible to go. They are 
the moral ship-wrecks who have been swallowed up 



THE BOWERY MISSION 

in the maelstrom on whose edges they dalKed until 
hopelessly engulfed. At last, ruined and forsaken, 
they are cast up like wreckage upon the outer coasts 
of society to be turned from with loathing by their 
fellowmen as something too utterly vile for recogni- 
tion. They have reaped well-nigh the full harvest 
of their sins, and it would seem that nothing re- 
mained but a wretched close to a career so miserable 
and forlorn. Many of these poor stranded waifs 
have, by God's mercy, been cast up at the doors of 
the Bowery Mission. Rejected elsewhere, they have 
there found a haven of welcome. Their poor cloth- 
ing and filthy condition have been the cause of other 
doors being shut in their faces, for even in mission 
work it is customary to draw the line at those who 
have fallen so low as to make their very touch con- 
tamination. But the Bowery Mission, like a life- 
boat on its merciful errand, plunges down to its 
lowest depths, for by doing so it may bring up some 
poor sinking fellow mortal into the light of God's 
love. Are they sick and penniless? It cares for 
them as tenderly as though they were brothers. 
Ragged? It is never without a garment for those 
who need one to shut out the piercing winds of 
winter. Are they idle and despairing? It aids 
them in finding employment." 

When Dr. Klopsch assumed charge, he had the 
Mission incorporated. The incorporators were Rev. 
John Hall, T. DeWitt Talmage, Mrs. Sarah J. Bird, 
Rev. David J. Burrell, Rev. C. H. Mead, Rev. 
Josiah Strong, Mrs. Amelia E. Barr, Rev. Louis E. 
Banks, Henry Edward Rowland, B. Fay Mills, Rev. 
A. C. Dixon, Rev. Stephen Merritt, Rev. R. S. Mac- 
Arthur, Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman, and Rev. James 
Everett King. 



264 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

There could be no adequate sketch of the Mission 
without mention of the work of Mrs. Sarah J. Bird, 
''the Mother of the Bowery Mission," as she was 
called, who gave up the advantages of wealth and 
ease to labor among the outcasts of the city. Her 
many years of devoted service in rescue work form 
one of the brightest records of Christian effort in 
the great metropolis. Her Christmas tree, loaded 
with useful gifts, was for many years an object of 
delight to the little ones whose lives are usually so 
joyless. Her addresses to the men and boys were 
always a powerful means of good. 

The Thursday night gatherings of Mrs. Bird, 
like those she held on Sundays, were invariably 
crowded. The men who formed her audiences were 
of all ages, from the young man a little more 
than a mere stripling, to the aged wanderer whose 
wrecked life is a record of indulgence and wasted 
opportunities. Some came from the Bowery lodg- 
ing houses, others from the streets, which they had 
walked until foot-sore in the vain search for work. 
For all there was the same kind of welcome, a cup 
of steaming coffee and a sandwich to appease the 
cravings of hunger. Mrs. Bird herself, writing of 
her work, said: 

''Sometimes, as I look down from my platform, 
I see some poor fellow kneeling and in anguish of 
soul in front of me. No one but God knows the 
fight some of these poor fellows are having with 
temptations from without and from within, and 
only the mighty power of Jesus to save gives us 
courage and faith to see these sad discouraged 



THE BOWERY MISSION 265 

souls struggling for life. These are men who have 
wandered from God and home. They have come 
from every city on the face of the earth; if a man 
becomes enguKed in sin in any part of the world, 
his ambition is to get to the Bowery. This is the 
magnet that attracts the restless and vicious wan- 
derer. These men are often brought where they are 
surrounded by conditions that are beyond control. 
Parents and friends die, or there are hard fathers 
and unwise thoughtless mothers; the boy leaves 
home and is soon stranded in a cheap Bowerj^ lodg- 
ing house. I give the Gospel invitation to over 
40,000 of these lost men every year, many of them 
men of fine education and birth." 

When Dr. Klopsch took charge, Mrs. Bird was 
active in her work, which has continued iminter- 
ruptedly up to the present time. Mr. John H. Way- 
bum was installed as Superintendent, and the work 
of the Mission, both on its spiritual and secular side, 
was broadened in many ways. A free dispensary- 
was inaugurated, new restaurants were provided, 
where the poor could dine for a nominal sum, and 
the midnight ''bread hne" became an established 
institution. Dr. Klopsch regarded the Mission as 
a beacon hght for lost men, and his appeals for 
support never failed to set forth what he was seeking 
to do for these men. A little poem which he cir- 
culated reflected this sentiment. One verse ran: 

Throw out the Life-Line across the dark wave. 
There is a brother whom someone should save; 
Somebody's brother! Oh, who, then will dare 
To throw out the Life-Line, his peril to share? 



266 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

The Mission had some ups and downs, and some 
changes, and in 1898 suflFered a very destructive fire. 
Then new quarters were obtained and the Mission 
was located at No. 227 Bowery, where it now is. 

In December, 1899, Rev. John G. HaUimond, D.D., 
was installed as Superintendent amid great enthusi- 
asm. Dr. HaUimond had been connected with the 
great West London Mission, of which the famous 
Rev. Hugh Price Hughes was Superintendent. On 
his arrival in New York he became private secretary 
to Commander Ballington Booth of the Salvation 
Army, and was intimately concerned in the social 
work of the Army. Later he was identified with 
the Volunteers of America. His experience espe- 
cially qualified him for the practical rescue work 
that has been the special sphere of the Bowery 
Mission. 

The work of the Mission was described at the 
twentieth anniversary in January, 1901, when special 
exercises were held. The Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage 
preached a remarkable sermon, and then Superin- 
tendent HaUimond reviewed the work. He said: 

''Among the rescue missions of the world, the 
Bowery Mission occupies a thoroughly unique posi- 
tion. Many religious enterprises have been carried 
on upon a much more extensive scale and have 
been of a much more pretentious character, but for 
a protracted and sustained soul-saving work, few 
institutions in the history of the Christian Church 
can furnish a record hke that of the Bowery Mission. 
For twenty years it has stood in the darkest section 
of the city, holding out a helping hand to those who 



THE BOWERY MISSION ^67 

are about to disappear in the black depths of eternal 
despair. Wonderful as the results have been in 
the past, the opportunity is now presented for im- 
mensely enlarging and strengthening its activities. 
For twenty years the work has been carried on 
unostentatiously. It was inaugurated by humble 
but consecrated people; and all along it has been 
supported by Christian workers of Umited means 
from all denominations. For the last five years, 
especially during the time it has been under the 
auspices of The Christian Herald, the funds with 
two notable exceptions (Dr. Klopsch and Mrs. Bird) 
have come from a multitude of small contributors 
all over the United States and Canada — from poor 
men, themselves redeemed in the Mission; from 
fathers in the far-away antipodes, sending thank- 
offerings for the reclamation of their sons. Many 
a time a tear-stained letter arrives from a sorrowing 
mother enclosing twenty -five or fifty cents, and ask- 
ing us to pray for her wandering boy, who, she 
hopes, may drift into our doors and come under our 
influence. This is the kind of support the Mission 
has received during the past twenty years." 

The work described by Superintendent Halli- 
mond on the twentieth anniversary has continued 
since, broadening on the industrial side, and with 
new fields opened up. It is, however, in the inci- 
dents of the Mission from day to day and night to 
night and year to year that the spirit in which the 
work is carried on and the rescue and reformation 
accomplished, as well as the brightening of clouded 
lives, are shown. There is, for example, Mrs. Bird's 



268 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Christmas tree. Then there is the Thanksgiving on 
the East Side. Here is an extract from a description 
of an East Side Thanksgiving at the Bowery Mission, 
by a well-known writer: 

"Already a note is in the air telling of the Thanks- 
giving Dinner to be given at the Bowery Mission 
for the men who tramp that famous thoroughfare. 
Here for many years these homeless and hungry men 
have been bidden to a feast such as many of them 
never have seen before, much less enjoyed. Turkey 
and all the 'fixings,' hot coffee, fruit, and big slices 
of bread in abundance, serve to fill empty stomachs, 
while words of cheer from the good men and women, 
who have their hearts in this mission work, fall like 
dew upon the parched hearts before them. 

"I found a great crowd of men of all ages and many 
nationalities waiting for the doors to be opened. 
A word, and the crowd made way; a tap, and the 
door opened. I slipped in and my day at the Bowery 
Mission had begun. There was a kitchen prayer 
meeting, and then morning service in the big hall. 
In the few moments before the meeting began in the 
hall, Mr. Hallimond told in the most interesting 
manner, with his heart in the telling, so many things, 
that I scarcely know where to begin my story, and 
having begun, know still less where to stop. 'You 
must see Mother Bird,' he said. I must also meet 
the quartette, and be introduced to the organist. 

"On a platform, facing hundreds of men, I sat 
with dear Mrs. Bird, who conducted the meeting. 
The one dominant word was love, heard through 
prayer, reading of the Scriptures, singing and talking. 
I was impressed as never before with the common 
sense of religion. There sat hundreds of them, these 
men of the Bowery, a story written on each face, 
many telling of tragic ending, not far off, unless a 



THE BOWERY MISSION 269 

helping hand was stretched forth to save. Just here 
comes in the practical part of the Bowery Mis- 
sion, as a hungry man cannot be expected to listen 
very patiently to religious teaching or advice, be it 
ever so good. He wants something to eat, and he 
gets it here — a big cup of hot coffee and a sandwich 
so thick that a 'Bowery barker' could hardly open 
his jaws wide enough to accommodate it unless the 
slices were separated. How many come just for 
the coffee and the sandwich, it would be hard to tell, 
but that a world of good has been done by this 
Mission, and a multitude of men saved from destruc- 
tion, is a matter of simple fact. How much the hot 
coffee may have to do with the preliminary w^ork of 
salvation among these poor wayfarers, it matters 
not, so that they are comforted sufficiently to even 
think one straight wholesome thought. 

"The testimonies given by those who have been 
saved by the Mission's help being extended to them 
when they had not a friend upon earth, must have 
made a deep impression upon the men to whom 
they were talking. The members of the quartette, 
who sang, and others, told their stories, differing 
only in detail. They were drunken and miserable, 
forsaken by their friends who stuck by them while 
a penny was left to treat them, but dropped them 
when all was spent. Reduced to the last extremity, 
sick, hungry and cold, they had wandered up and 
down the Bowery. Discouraged, defiant, hard of 
heart, they had drifted into the Mission." 

Another incident was of the "bread line." There 
was a surprise in store when one cold night Super- 
intendent Hallimond announced that he had ten 
cents to present to each man to enable him to pro- 
cure a night's lodging. This donation, the Super- 
intendent told them, had come from a man who 



270 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

himself had been on the *' bread Hne" just three or 
four weeks previously, but who had since become 
possessed of a small fortune of $1,000. One hundred 
dollars of this sum he had donated for the relief of 
such of the ''down and outs" as were on the "bread 
line" on that bitterly cold night. 

And then there are the Bowery Mission funerals. 
Here is an account of one, taken from a New York 
paper: 

A BOWERY MISSION FUNERAL 

(From the New York Sun) 

Henry McCluskey, an old man who died in the Bowery 
Mission last Sunday night (Nov. 27), while service was being 
held, was buried from the Mission yesterday.^ It is said that 
he attended every meeting held there for the last five years. 
On Sunday night the place was so crowded that he had to sit 
on the stairs leading to the second floor. During the singing 
of a hymn he fell from the stairs and was found to be dead. 
McCluskey was a distinguished looking old man. Long before 
the service began the benches were filled with men. A couple 
of Salvation Army lassies sat on the platform. Mrs. Sarah J. 
Bird, or '* Mother" Bird, as she is called, who leads many of 
the Bowery meetings, explained that the funeral would be 
simple. 

"We might have bought him flowers," she said, "but it would 
have been a mockery. Just these few violets will do." 

"If you could only see with a clearer vision," said the Rev. 
Stephen Merritt after the congregation had sung, "you would 
find that our dead brother is now at rest in Abraham's bosom. 
I hope that I will see you all again in a better land. You will 
all be there, for no black sheep will remain among you. You 
will be washed whiter than snow. " 

One of the Mission workers sang, " And when I Think of the 

* The poor old man, who was destitute, was buried by the Mission. 



THE BOWERY MISSION 271 

Home Land my Eyes are Filled with Tears." One of the 
midertaker's assistants sprinkled Mother Bird's violets upon 
the casket, and after the congregation had filed past, it was 
carried away. 

Sometimes there are the entertainments provided 
by those at the other end of the social ladder. There 
was, for example, one evening in January, 1908, the 
concert by the members of the Amateur Concert 
Club, composed exclusively of ladies of the most 
prominent families in New York society. It was a 
piteously wet night. Rain and sleet swirled dow^n 
upon the sidewalks and flooded the gutters, but this 
was not sufficient to prevent an enormous crowed of 
men gathering. Very punctually the procession of 
automobiles arrived and deposited their fair occu- 
pants, and the concert began. A physiological stu- 
dent would have found a most engrossing study in 
the faces of the poor beaten, baffled, discouraged 
men as they listened. "I saw%" said Superintendent 
Hallimond, "many a lip quiver. When Miss Gallard 
played on the harp the simple strains of 'Home, 
Sweet Home,' there were many men who bowed their 
heads and wept." 

The Bowery Mission has attracted visitors from 
all over the world, not merely curiosity-seekers, but 
those who feel a real interest in its work, and whose 
presence offers cheer and hope to the derelicts of 
humanity. Once it was Countess Adelaide Schim- 
melmann, the titled evangelist, who told the story of 
her own life at the German Court. 

Then there was Helen Gould, in her noble work 
of uplifting the unfortunate, who wrote warm words 



272 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

of praise of the Mission. And there were countless 
other visitors, may of them of national and even 
international fame. 

Perhaps one of the most significant of all the visits 
was paid by Pastor Charles Wagner, the famous 
French preacher, whose advocacy of the ** Simple 
Life" appealed so powerfully to President Roosevelt. 
It was during his visit to New York in the early 
winter of 1904. He had engagements in the upper 
part of the city that evening, but he had promised 
Dr. Klopsch to come to the Mission, and had ex- 
pressed a desire to see the "bread line." The night 
was bitterly cold. A little before midnight, when 
the hall was so full that scarcely another man could 
be squeezed through the doorway, and the "bread 
line" had already begun to form, there rolled up a 
carriage, and from it emerged Dr. Klopsch, quickly 
followed by Pastor Wagner, Dr. Koenig, and Mr. 
DeBrunoff. The story of that visit was told by The 
Christian Herald: 

"The great majority of our men who heard Charles 
Wagner the other night, had been seated in the hall 
for over five hours, waiting for him, as, owing to his 
numerous engagements, we were unable to announce 
the exact hour at which he would speak. He had 
expressed a desire to see our famous "bread line," 
which begins to form a little after midnight, waiting 
for the opening of the doors at 1 o'clock, a.m. We, 
therefore, announced a meeting which would begin 
at 12 o'clock. Subsequently it was found that he 
would arrive earlier in the evening, but too late to 
speak at our ordinary night meeting. Thus it came 
to pass that on Monday evening, November 28, we 
held our longest evening meeting on record. 



.>.-:^^ 



THE BOWERY MISSION 273 

"But the men were very patient. A few of the 
worn-out ones fell asleep, and for once we did not 
disturb them. The night was a bitterly cold one, 
so that we could only open the doors and windows for 
ventilating purposes at short intervals, and, in con- 
sequence, the atmosphere was conducive to sleep; 
but the majority kept bravely awake. The time was 
pleasantly spent in singing our stirring hymns to the 
accompaniment of both organ and piano, in testi- 
monies, and in occasional exhortations thrown in 
by the Superintendent and the regular leader of 
the evening, Mr. Simon Trenwith, our financial 
secretary. 

"At about 11.30, when the hall was so full that 
scarcely another man could be squeezed through the 
doorway, and the "bread line" had already begun to 
form, there rolled up a carriage, and from it emerged 
Dr. Klopsch, energetic and happy looking, quickly 
followed by Pastor Wagner, Dr. Koenig, and M. 
DeBrunoff. 

"It is needless to say that our Bowery crowd 
scanned most eagerly the face of the famous Paris 
pastor, when once he had become seated on the plat- 
form. A few moments more, and the great audience 
was on its feet, singing as lustily as though it were 
just beginning its Sunday morning service the hymn 
that has become so popular with them, 'Keep Step 
with the Master.' Then, after a few words of intro- 
duction from the Superintendent, the author of "The 
Simple Life" stood with compressed lips, grasping the 
brass rail in front of him, face to face with what he 
afterwards described as the most remarkable audience 
he had ever addressed. A tear glistened in his eye 
as he began, and his deep, rich voice trembled with 
unwonted emotion. He had been eagerly scanning 
the faces of the men, and now that the time had come 
for him to speak to them, it seemed as though any 



274 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

language, much less one that he had only mastered 
within recent months, would utterly fail to convey 
the wealth of profound sympathy that had suddenly 
surged into his heart for these suffering brethren 
of his. But the words came at last, and wonderful 
words they were. There was no cant, no insincerity, 
no patronage in this man, who could say, as, surely, 
they had never heard any one else say so strikingly 
before, 'I give my love to you. I greet you my 
brethren — I sympathize with you. I am of the 
people; I always will be of the people, as I always 
will be a boy. Tell me what it is that makes you 
look so sad?' There was something in this that 
reminded these poor battered and beaten men of 
what they had heard so many times of One, who, 
nineteen hundred years ago, was so gladly heard by 
the common people. 

*' Charles Wagner did not need to be told that these 
men had sinned. The marks of the beast were upon 
them. The badges of servitude to the evil one were 
prominent on every hand. But the one great fact 
that seemed to burn itself into his very innermost 
consciousness was that they were suffering, they were 
down, they were away from home. Call them back! 
Tell them that God loves them! 

"Oh, how pathetic were the words, *I am here as 
your friend. Would that I could press the hand of 
each one of you. Would that I could press the heart. 
We need each other — you and I. We have to love 
each other. 

"When Pastor Wagner finished, the audience broke 
into song again: 

Wonderful words, beautiful words. 
Beautiful words of Life, 

and as this appropriate chorus still lingered in the 
ears of all. Dr. Klopsch rose, and in appropriate 



THE BOWERY MISSION 275 

terms thanked the great simple-minded, loving- 
hearted teacher for the message he had brought. 

"Then came the first instalment of the breakfast, 
for it was now close on 1 o'clock. No sooner did 
the mission workers commence distributing the rolls 
and coffee than Mr. Wagner made his way down into 
the midst of the motley crowd. Eager hands were 
stretched out to him, which he just as eagerly gripped 
in his big, strong, kindly grasp. 

"Guided by Dr. Klopsch, Mr. Wagner and his 
friends then proceeded through the Mission kitchen 
to the basement hall, where, by the time they arrived, 
the great throng of shivering, hungry men w^ere 
streaming in in one unbroken line. There was little 
opportunity here for personal intercourse with the 
men, for it is always a scene of bustling activity, 
so, after a brief survey of the pathetic scene. Pastor 
Wagner, greatly moved, ascended to the upper hall 
again, saying, as he did so, *A strange sight! A 
strange night! A strange city!'" 

After his return to Europe, Pastor Wagner wrote 
his own account of his visit to the Bowery Mission 
and the impression it made upon him. It appeared 
in his volume entitled "American Impressions." 
Here is an extract from his story: 

"I sat awhile in a sort of soul stupor until, for- 
tunately, the organ began to play, and the people 
to sing. Then I could observe this accumulation of 
the dregs of nations. There was not a single woman, 
but every man bore the marks of defeat; not as 
though routed in some late battle, and still bewil- 
dered by dreadful visions of the fight; but van- 
quished long ago and too nearly trampled out and 
annihilated now to remember. Their faces repre- 
sented types of every country, at the same time 



276 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

showing each of them to be a man without a coun- 
try. They had fallen without the meshes that enclose 
the prudent among their fellow countrymen, into the 
great dragnet of misfortune, and there they lay, vic- 
tims of their idleness, their drunkenness, their want 
of character or the brutal circumstances against 
which the little skiff wherein they had embarked 
their life was shattered. 

"From my place I made them personal visits, ob- 
serving them carefully, one by one, and among these 
hundreds of wrecks of men, there was not one bad 
face. There was diversity under the sordid uniform- 
ity of rags; there were bearded men and smooth- 
faced, bald men and hirsute, and a disproportionate 
number were one-eyed. By how many different 
paths had their lives, once fresh and full of hope, 
come to this downfall, this demolition, that was con- 
densing and confusing them in a dark residue at 
the bottom of the social alembic.^ They seemed 
to me so great in their absolute nothingness, that 
suddenly the whole of respectable middle-class ex- 
istence was obscured in their shadow, and some 
invisible hand removed from me all the store upon 
which a man ordinarily draws when he speaks to 
his fellows who have a bed to lie on and a table 
at which to sit; who carry about them that pass- 
port called money, and are animated by the breath 
of that soul of the social life — credit. Out of 
sympathy, I felt myself reduced to utter helpless- 
ness, to a humanity stript, wounded, and miserable, 
until I became their equal. And when I rose to 
call them brothers I saw in the midst of them the 



THE BOWERY MISSION 277 

spirit of sufiFering humanity, the Son of Man, who 
had not where to lay his head. Never was I more 
deeply conscious of strength from the power to speak 
in His name; and never had the judgment, at once 
merciful and inexorable, that He pronounced upon 
our vanities and the hollowness of our comfortable 
Christianity, seemed more scathing. That night I 
learned one of those lessons that fill the soul with 
grief, with anguish. 

*'Had these men any knowledge of the preternat- 
ural effect they made upon me? Evidently not; but 
they listened with good-will to what I said aloud, as 
I listened in silence to their silent speech. Then I 
stepped down from the platform and begged them to 
show, by their uplifted hands, who among them spoke 
English, French or German, the only languages in 
which I could make myself understood, and I con- 
versed with them individually. Their short biogra- 
phies, all ending badly, reminded me of a succession 
of evil tidings, one report after another announcing 
a new catastrophe. 

"As the hour for closing approached, cups of 
coffee were passed along the ranks, and there was 
a generous distribution of bread when the men went 
out. * Where will they sleep .f^' I asked myself, as 
I watched the dark columns disperse in the foggy 
night; and a vision of them pursued me — a lamen- 
table and distressful vision of them holding before 
my mind the huge question of vagabondage." 

Superintendent Hallimond thus feelingly reviews 
Dr. Klopsch's noble services in connection with 
the Mission: 



278 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

"For fifteen years Dr. Klopsch, by pen and tongue, 
and through the instrumentality of The Christian 
Herald columns, bravely and enthusiastically upheld 
the interests of this work. Sometimes under the 
most disheartening circumstances, as when, for in- 
stance, the Mission took fire in March 1898, and 
eleven lives were lost; but always in the most 
cheerful, patient and willing manner he bore the 
heavy burden. 

''No one could read the appeals for the Mission 
which always came from his own pen at Thanks- 
giving and Christmas times, without realizing how 
vividly he realized his responsibility in the concern, 
and with what burning earnestness he watched over 
its interests. 'If God has prospered you, give a 
mite to this grand work. It is very near my 
heart. I pray daily for the men and boys at the 
Bowery Mission.' Misfortune has overtaken them, 
disappointment has been their lot, and now in their 
despair they appeal to the Bowery Mission. We 
cannot and must not turn them away. While these 
boys are with us, some, oh, so homesick, we must 
look after them.' These were some of the charac- 
teristic sentences found in his annual letters to the 
members of his large Christian Herald family. They 
could not, and did not, fail to meet with the generous 
and wholehearted responses that enabled him and 
the Mission to carry on the work with such unprece- 
dented success. 

"Dr. Klopsch, blessed as he was with such keen 
business acumen, seemed to realize intuitively, 
rather than by academic study, the economic con- 



THE BOWERY MISSION 279 

ditions that made such a place as the Bowery in- 
evitable. Unconsciously to himself, perhaps, the 
pressure of these thoughts would force themselves 
into his appeals. On one occasion he wrote, 'The 
men and boys of the Bowery are the ambitious sons 
of reputable parents, who started out with high 
hopes of making their future in the great city. The 
peaceful little country town was too slow for them, 
for at best it seemed to promise but a humdrum 
existence. Once out in the metropolis of the Western 
world, they hoped soon to send word to Father and 
Mother that success had attended their efforts, that 
they were on their way to a fortune, and in a posi- 
tion to contribute to the comfort of the old folks 
at home. Unfortunately they did not realize their 
fond hopes, and now they are ashamed to write 
home; and while Mother is singing, 'Oh, Where is 
my Wandering Boy Tonight?' and Father is pray- 
ing for the return of the prodigal, and sisters are 
anxiously awaiting his coming, the poor fellow is 
walking off the heels of his boots in vain search 
for employment, day by day becoming more and 
more shabby, until, having lost faith in himself, he 
is now ashamed to write, ashamed to return.' 

"Dr. Klopsch made it his almost invariable 
custom to attend the Mission, with the members 
of his family, on Thanksgiving evening. He never 
failed to manifest the same heart interest in the 
poor, homeless men gathered together within the 
hospitable walls of the Mission, that he showed in 
all his writings. His short, earnest addresses, were 
always of the most appropriate and helpful character. 



280 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

'Never despair,' 'Cheer up/ 'It's never too late to 
mend,' 'God, able to save to the uttermost,' were 
familiar topics with him, and many a saved man, 
who has risen from Bowery wretchedness and despair 
to a rehabilitated manhood, will thank God for the 
inspiration given him through the words of this able 
and devoted man. 

"It was not only, however, his interest in the out- 
cast men of the Bowery as a mass, that character- 
ized Dr. Klopsch. He was one of the busiest of men, 
but never hesitated, whenever any individual case 
of need was brought to his attention, to bestow upon 
it that minute, detailed care which his business 
associates were so familiar with in The Christian 
Herald oflSce. 

"I remember having a very difficult case to deal 
with. A young professional man came to me for 
advice and help. It was a sad, pathetic story, a 
story of sudden temptation, yielding, and — sin. 
As he proceeded with his relation of it, I felt more 
and more my own helplessness. The complications 
were serious, threatening, bewildering. No time 
was to be lost. His broken-hearted wife and six 
months old baby were awaiting his return at a 
neighboring hotel. An officer of the law might at 
any moment step in and arrest him. The man was 
desperate and panic-stricken. Very reluctantly I 
went to Dr. Klopsch. I felt guilty of a sense of 
unfairness in asking this busy man to accept any 
share of a burden which properly fell to my lot as 
superintendent of the Mission, but I was baffled 
and nervous, so I disturbed him in the midst of a 



THE BOWERY MISSION 281 

busy day, unusually so even for him. I repeated 
the story to him. He listened patiently, but even 
while I talked, that keen intuitive faculty he pos- 
sessed had gone to the heart of things, and he had 
formed his plans. He propounded a few quick, 
incisive questions about dates, names, addresses, 
etc., all of them pertaining to a far distant city. 
Then he sprang to the telephone, and for two hours 
kept the wires of the long distance hot, eventually 
straightening matters out by assuming a certain 
financial liability himself, and sending the young 
fellow on his way a free and hopeful man again. 

"On one cold, wintry morning Dr. Klopsch 
visited the 'bread line.' The poor, shivering, ill- 
clad men were trooping in for that hot coffee and 
rolls. A respectable looking, but sad-faced old man 
stood just within the door, peering eagerly into 
the face of each man as he crossed the threshold 
and stepped into the light. Dr. Klopsch, scenting 
a tragedy, spoke kindly to him, and found that he 
was a Father in search of his prodigal son. For 
over seven years the boy had been a wanderer from 
home. News had come that he was in New York 
City and penniless. The man had read of the 
* bread line' at the Mission, and had said, *If my 
boy is destitute, that's a very likely place to find 
him at,' so he came. Dr. Klopsch stood at the old 
man's side during the whole of the breakfast, and 
when the line had passed in grim review before them 
and the boy was not there, it was he who spoke 
comforting words to the disappointed parent. By 
that time it was after 2 o'clock in the morning, 



282 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

but in his characteristically energetic manner he 
set machinery at work for a thorough inquiry 
amongst the lodging houses of the Bowery. Within 
a few hours the search was successful. The lost was 
found. The Father's heart was gladdened, and an 
early Sunday morning train took him and the recov- 
ered prodigal back to their home in New England. 

"A man came to the 'bread line' at another time 
in an almost unspeakable condition of need. Whilst 
under the influence of drink he had fallen from a 
trolley car and had broken his leg. He was taken 
to Bellevue Hospital, treated, and kept there for a 
time. The crowded conditions of the city hospital 
that winter, however, obliged the authorities to dis- 
charge him, whilst he still had the plaster cast on 
his leg, and only able to walk on crutches. There 
he was, on a bitter winter night, without shelter, 
without food, without friends, and — a helpless 
cripple. Such a case, even among the thousands 
of needy cases clamoring for treatment, demanded 
special help. Fortunately for the man, Dr. Klopsch 
was again visiting the Mission. At once he became 
interested. The man was taken to the Memorial 
House, an adjunct of the Mission, and cared for 
many weeks. Then he became an employee and 
for several years has lived a consistent and useful 
hfe amongst his fellow men." 

The crowning event in the history of the Mission 
was the visit of President Taft. It was given to 
Dr. Klopsch to see, before his life-work ended, this 
momentous event, the Chief Executive of one of 
the greatest Christian nations on earth standing 



THE BOWERY MISSION 283 

before these wrecks of men, speaking to them as man 
to man, as brother to brother. It was an occasion 
which was without parallel. 

President Taft had heard much of the work of the 
Bowery Mission in connection with Dr. Klopsch's 
other philanthropies. He had promised that on the 
first occasion he would visit it. It w^as on the night 
of Monday, December 13, 1909, when, after address- 
ing a mass meeting in Carnegie Hall, he was whirled 
down in his automobile to the Bowery in the midst 
of a heavy rain-storm. 

The account of the President's visit and of his 
brief address is taken from The Christian Herald, 

PRESIDENT TAFT AT THE BOWERY IVHSSION 

A NIGHT VISIT IN A POURING RAIN AND A CHEERING 
MESSAGE TO THE UNEMPLOYED 

Monday, Dec. 13, 1909, will be a memorable day in the 
history of the Bowery Mission. President Taft, who had been 
speaking at a mass meeting in Carnegie Hall, at the conclusion 
of that meeting was whirled downtown in his automobile to 
the Bowery. The Presidential party, who followed, occupied 
several Stearns taxicabs, which made most excellent time in 
spite of the heaviest rain-storm the city had known in many 
months. 

It was nearly 11 o'clock p.m. when they reached the Mission. 
Uniformed police and detectives in plain clothes guarded all 
the entrances. Everything, however, was quiet and orderly 
and the guardians of the peace were themselves deeply interested 
spectators of the proceedings. 

The usual Gospel ser\dce was in progress when the autos 
reached the rear entrance, and when President Taft stepped 
from his machine he heard the big audience of Bowery men 
singing the Mission's favorite hymn, "I'm Holding On," to 



g84 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

the accompaniment of organ and piano. As lie passed through 
the hallway and came upon the platform a tremendous burst 
of applause greeted him, which continued several minutes, 
the President bowing and smiling to the enthusiastic men before 
him. 

On the platform beside the President were Dr. Louis Klopsch, 
the President of the Bowery Mission; Rev. Mr. HaUimond, 
Superintendent; ** Mother** Bird, Bishop Darlington of Harris- 
burg, Dr. Ferdinand Iglehart, Mrs. Klopsch, Mrs. HaUimond, 
Harry Steele Morrison, and a number of others. 

After another "three rousing cheers for the President of the 
United States," called for by Dr. Klopsch, had been given with 
an energy and volume of sound that made Mr. Taft's smile 
broaden. Superintendent HaUimond told the men briefly that 
their distinguished guest had a message for them. The Presi- 
dent arose and faced the men of the Bowery. For a moment 
he seemed to scan the faces individually, then he spoke in a 
clear and distinct voice, as follows: 

"My Friends! I am just about as much surprised at being 
here as you are at seeing me. I had a note from your bene- 
factor. Dr. Klopsch, asking me to come, after the meeting at 
Carnegie HaU, to the Mission which he has estabUshed in the 
Bowery. 

"Now, I have known Dr. Klopsch personally not very long; 
but I have known him for a long while in the way that perhaps 
you do, by what he has done. [Cheers.] 

"It has been my fortime in life to be a good deal of a sort of 
a figurehead. Some men do the work, whUe others are figure- 
heads, and nature has developed me in such a way that I fiU 
a pretty good part as a figurehead. [Cheers.] So they put 
me at the head of the Red Cross, and as head of the Red Cross 
I came to know of the enormous energy and tremendous power 
for good which Dr. Elopsch exercises through The Christian 
Herald in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to relieve 
human suffering wherever it may be in the world. 

"And so, when he wrote to ask me to come here, I wasn't 
exactly advised, except that it was in the Bowery. I always 



THE BOWERY MISSION 285 

had a good deal of curiosity to know the Bowery, and I felt cer- 
tain that where Dr. Klopsch and the Bowery met, there would 
probably be the best part of the Bowery, and so I came here. 
[Loud cheering.] 

"Now, your Superintendent has been good enough to say 
some comphmentary things about my coming from Carnegie 
Hall down to the Bowery to meet you. I am not conscious of 
deserving any credit for it. As I look into your faces I see you 
are earnest American citizens. To use a colloquial expression, 
some of you are 'down on your luck,' but nevertheless, respon- 
sive to the same sentiments of loyalty and patriotism and love 
of country, and with the same ideals and aspirations for better 
things that are, I hope, shared by every man. 

"I am glad to be here, if by being here and saying so I can 
convince you that the so-called chasm between you and people 
who seem for a time to be more fortunate is not a chasm, and 
that there is extending through and between you and them a 
deep feeling of sympathy, a deep, earnest desire that you shall 
have that equality of opportunity — that means of getting on 
your feet, of supporting your family and of earning your liveh- 
hood — which we hope every man under the Stars and Stripes 
may fully enjoy. 

"I am glad to come here and to testify by my presence here 
my sympathy with the great work of Dr. Klopsch in this Mis- 
sion, by which he shall from time to time and constantly — 
but not always the same people — help men over hard places; 
help over the time when things seem desperate and when it 
seems as if the Lord and everybody else have turned against 
you, and to help you in those times to beUeve that there are 
people in this world who do sympathize with you, and who 
wish to help you to achieve better things. 

"I know it is difficult for you to believe that I, who for the 
time being am receiving a large salary from the United States, 
and living in comfort, can understand or take into my heart 
the feeling you may have of desperation, and the sense of 
injustice you may have in feeling that you have not had the 
chances other men have had. Yet I assure you that in spite 



286 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

of those seeming differences your fellow-citizens and mine are 
not the greedy, oppressive persons some would make you be- 
lieve; but that more to-day than ever in the history of the 
world their hearts are open and their desire to help the needy 
and the suffering is greater than it ever was, and is growing 
greater every minute. 

"Dr. Klopsch is one of those through whom I hope that 
thought is being conveyed to you, so that you may not burn 
with a sense of injustice, but that you may hope on and struggle 
on, made strong in the behef that the future is brighter for you 
than before." 

At the conclusion of the President's address there was an 
outburst of tumultuous applause from the men in the body 
of the hall, the visitors' galleries and the platform. He had 
touched a deep chord in the breasts of his hearers, and they 
felt that every word in this message of cheer and encourage- 
ment was spoken from the heart. Then after the applause 
had subsided the President and his immediate party rose to 
leave the platform. "Good night, boys," said Mr. Taft, wav- 
ing his hand in kindly greeting to the men. "Good night. 
Bill!" came back in a resounding, stentorian chorus. "Merry 
Christmas!" he called out as he withdrew after shaking hands 
cordially with those on the platform. He did not leave the 
Mission building, however, until he had visited the quarters 
of the "bread line," on the floor below, and inspected the 
arrangements for feeding and comforting the thousands of home- 
less men and boys who come every midnight to be warmed and 
fed at the Bowery Mission. 

After his departure, the Gospel meeting in the Mission hall 
went on with increased fervor. There was a new warmth in the 
"testimonies" that night, a deeper spirituality in the prayers 
and a higher note of praise and thankfulness in the hymns. 

The police arrangements, under Inspector Hogan and Cap- 
tain Day, were excellent. Owing to the stormy night there 
was no large outside crowd, and the approaches to the Mis- 
sion, front and rear, were kept clear and well guarded. Never 
did President face a better behaved, more enthusiastic or 



THE BOWERY MISSION 287 

more loyal audience than did Mr. Taft that night, and his 
words of kindness to the poor waifs of the Bowery will never 
be forgotten. He is the first National Executive who has set 
the example of coming down from his high station, for a single 
hour, and mingling with the *' down-and-outs," and the men 
of the Bowery declare that the visit and the speech together 
have inspired them with fresh courage and done them a world 
of good. 

In an editorial comment. The Christian Herald 
said of this visit by the President: 

"It was a new note which President Taft sounded. 
It was a note of cheer and encouragement from the 
executive head of this nation. He stepped down 
for the moment from the social environment of his 
high position to that of the humblest and saddest 
of wayfarers. Through his big frame there flows a 
warm current of sympathy with suffering and mis- 
fortune, and his talk with these men of the Bowery, 
social outcasts as they are ranked, gave them a 
glimpse of the goodness of his heart and made them 
feel that the speaker was first a man, then a Presi- 
dent. In the driving December storm he came to 
them as a messenger of cheer, telling them that 
even when the skies were blackest, and when it 
seemed as if everybody had turned against them, 
they were not friendless, for there were people who 
stood ready to help them to better things. 

*'This is the real note of the upHft. It is when 
we are down and weak with struggling, that we most 
need the grasp of the friendly hand to help us upon 
our feet. And there can be nothing more eloquent 
in this world than such a hand, when it reaches out 
at the right moment. It inspires courage, restores 



288 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

seK-respect, gives strength to the weak, makes the 
battle of adversity less arduous. It was a brave 
and commendable thing that Mr. Taft did down at 
the Bowery Mission, and society is his debtor for 
it. His words and example have done more to 
close the gap between rich and poor, than anything 
else that could possibly have happened. In that 
half hour when he stood face to face with the men 
of the Bowery, whom he called his *boys,' we believe 
he received as much as he gave." 



CHAPTER XVI 

THE CRY OF THE CHILDREN 

HOW THE MONT-LAWN HOME CAME TO BE OPENED IN 1895 — GROWTH OP DR. 

KLOPSCH's favorite CHARITY STREET WAIFS IN THE GREAT CITY FROM 

THE SLUMS TO AN EARTHLY PARADISE — A DAY's DOINGS FOR THE TENEMENT 
GUESTS DESCRIBED — SATURDAY AFTERNOON ROMPS — WHAT A STRANGER 

FROM ENGLAND SAW — SONGS OF PRAISE THE TEMPLE SERVICES — DR. 

KLOPSCh's UNIQUE MESSAGE TO YOUTHFUL HEARTS — LESSONS IN PATRIOTISM 
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS ON THE FOURTH OF JULY — A CELEBRATION WITH- 
OUT THE FOUNDER — THE CHINESE MINISTER'S TRIBUTE — FUTURE OF MONT- 
LAWN. 

THE cry of the children is a constant one. In 
a city such as New York, it goes up from 
the highways and byways, from the crowded 
tenements in the districts where population is most 
dense, sometimes with piercing shrillness. To those 
of generous impulses the call is an irresistible one. 
To the man who in his measures of relief for the 
sufferers from massacre and famine in Armenia, in 
Macedonia, in India, in China, and in Japan 
thought always of the orphans that must be pro- 
vided for, it was certain that the waifs of the 
streets at home would appeal. Dr. Klopsch loved 
the little ones. 

The opportunity for helping tenement children of 
New York City came early in his philanthropic 
career. At the conclusion of the New York "food- 
fund," which was solicited for the aid of the unem- 
ployed in the winter of 1893-94, and when there was 

289 



290 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

no further need of relief operations, there was an 
unexpended balance of $4,900 in the treasury. Since 
the contributors to the fund numbered several thou- 
sand persons, scattered all over the country, who 
had given sums ranging from twenty-five cents 
upward, to return their gifts was a practical impos- 
sibility. It was suggested to Dr. Klopsch, by one 
of his associates, that as the winter's work had dealt 
very largely with the women and children, it would 
be a logical extension of the same work if the balance 
could be utilized for the purpose of opening a ''Fresh 
Air Home" in the suburbs, for the little folks of the 
tenements, who had been subjected to so much pri- 
vation during the winter. 

This suggestion met with immediate approval by 
Dr. Klopsch. It gave him a long desired oppor- 
tunity to put into operation an experiment in behalf 
of neglected city children, which promised to pro- 
duce salutary results, morally and physically, besides 
affording the little ones such a pleasure as they 
never before enjoyed. The Rev. Dr. A. D. Lawrence 
Jewett, of Nyack, thirty miles up the Hudson, who 
was in hearty sympathy with the work, generously 
gave the use of his beautiful estate, known as Mont- 
Lawn, at a merely nominal rental, for the Children's 
Home. Some $2,000 was spent on furnishing and 
general equipment, a matron and helpers were en- 
gaged, and in June, 1895, the Home was opened to 
two hundred tenement children. That year twelve 
hundred were received. They were selected from the 
poorest families and no distinctions were made as 
to creed or nationality. 



THE CRY OF THE CHILDREN 291 

At the end of the first season, there was a deficit 
of about $1,000, which Dr. Klopsch personally sup- 
plied. Next year he succeeded in interesting many 
patrons among his readers, and the Home grew 
apace. It was enlarged and improved from year to 
year, until there are now five large dormitories, an 
open-air dining and play building, a beautiful chapel, 
stables, an artesian well, etc. The whole property 
is valued at something like $70,000. 

Since the Home was started, about forty thousand 
children have been received at Mont-Lawn, the 
average stay being ten days each, and the season 
running ten weeks through the hottest period of the 
summer. The cost for each child for the season is 
three dollars. There is a matron with a corps of 
teachers or caretakers, a dormitory corps, and kitchen 
and garden help. The Home is maintained by vol- 
untary contributions from people in many states, 
some of whom have been patrons since its founda- 
tion. It was Dr. Klopsch's favorite charity, and he 
spent the greater part of his summers there romping 
with the children, directing their games, leading in 
their exercises, and planning for their welfare and 
enjoyment. 

This is in few words the story of the Children's 
Home at Mont-Lawn, but it has a thousand varia- 
tions. Its purpose was best expressed in the first 
year of its existence, when Dr. Klopsch, in an article 
in The Christian Herald, said: 

"There is no pleasure in this world of ours so pure 
and innocent as that of a little child, no laughter 
so sweet as that of children, no picture so sad as 



292 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

that of joyless childhood. In all our great cities, 
and especially in New York, there are thousands 
upon thousands of little ones whose early years are 
passed amid surroundings so miserable, unwhole- 
some and vicious, as to augur ominously for their 
future. Many of them have never seen a Sabbath 
School, and don't know the name of Jesus, except 
when they hear it uttered in profanity. Some never 
even saw a blade of grass, or pulled a flower. Seen 
for the first time, a wood to them is a wonder- 
land; a smooth lawn a dream of delight. It was of 
such as this that the poetess Elizabeth Barrett 
Browning wrote: 

**'Tis the young, young children, O my brothers. 
They are weeping bitter tears; 
They are weeping in the playtime of the others. 
And their sorrow comes with years." 

In describing those reached by the missionaries 
of the *' Fresh Air Work," the paper said: 

"Those neglected ones are the children of the 
slums, the tiny waifs, orphans and outcasts, who 
burrow in the very poorest and dirtiest sections of 
the city, live sometimes in cellars, or in the farthest 
removed places of some crazy tenement, or some- 
times in the recess of a dock, for the want of a better 
home. Some of the children have parents who care 
little what becomes of their offspring, as long as their 
own animal wants are satisfied. Others are absolute 
waifs and outcasts, sleeping around on stairways, 
in cellars, or in wagons, or where they may. A few, 
though hardly yet in their teens, have taken the first 



THE CRY OF THE CHttDREN 293 

steps in crime, and under the tuition of some low 
thief, now too old and decrepit to ply his trade him- 
self, are being taught to pick pockets for a living. 
And this is but a realistic picture of thousands of 
other children in New York City. 

"Tired and starved, in body, mind and soul, their 
unrelieved lot is poverty and want, suffering and 
death. They come and go like puny shadows on 
the dial of time. Not theirs the sweet pleasure of 
romping in the green fields, or resting in the cool 
woods. They may never hear the song of birds, nor 
breathe the sweet incense of flowers. It is this class 
that The Christian Herald's 'Tresh Air Workers" 
seek out in the purlieus of the great city and take 
to our "Children's Home at Mont-Lawn." 

A graphic description was given in one of the news- 
papers of the preparations for the trip. A summer 
visitor sat looking across the way from a window 
in Cooper Union Library, and noticed how children 
flocked to the Bible House between the hours of 11 
and 1. They came in squads of five, six, fifteen, 
twenty, in charge of older people; or forlorn mites 
struggled along by themselves; they are evidently 
children of the poor. Some are laden with fruits 
and flowers, or bags evidently containing treasures. 
If the visitor questions a New Yorker, he will be 
informed that he is watching the initial operations 
of one of the most interesting and excellent charities 
of the metropolis. The children thronging into the 
Bible House are incoming and outgoing guests of 
The Christian Herald's Summer Home for Children 
at Nyack-on-the-Hudson. The adults in charge are 



294 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

missionaries, who bring them from the tenement dis- 
tricts, or caretakers who conduct them back and 
forth between the Home and the city. For every 
detachment of twenty-five children brought back 
from the Home, a corresponding number is returned. 
Each child stays ten days. Beneficiaries must be 
between the ages of five and twelve. Candidates 
undergo a medical examination, and those showing 
symptoms of contagious diseases are necessarily 
excluded, but are told to try again when better. 

The trip up the Hudson to Nyack is filled with 
incidents. Some of the children are almost dumb 
with joy and amusement, while others are very 
voluble. "My," said one little girl after landing 
at Nyack, "but that was a long water." Her 
knowledge of what a river is was evidently limited 
to the definition in her geography, and she evi- 
dently did not connect it with the real thing. 

A day's doings at Mont-Lawn have a never-end- 
ing novelty for the little guests from the tenements. 
The routine begins with the early morning, when the 
children, waiting, after a refreshing night's sleep, are 
hungry for breakfast and eager for play. Dormitories 
are like bee-hives; little folks are busy getting into 
clothes as quickly as possible, caretakers and older 
children are helping. At last, with buttons secure, 
faces washed, heads combed and brushed, they 
assemble on the lawn in front of the porch. In 
the doorway stands their house-mother with her 
hand on the gong. At the first stroke they fall in 
line; at the second, march off to the tent. Long 
white tables under the tent are set varied with oat- 



THE CRY OF THE CHH^DREN 295 

meal or rice and mugs of rich cream, milk, and many 
slices of buttered bread. Each little boy and girl 
takes his or her seat, heads are bowed, little hands 
are folded, and the children sing their pretty grace, 
beginning: 

God is great and God is good. 
And we thank Him for our food. 

Such they are, poor half -famished little ones. 
Some who came pinched and pale, too weak and 
sick even to care for food, are hungry enough now 
and march and play sturdily. "Teachers" — this is 
what they elect to call their caretakers — go from 
table to table replenishing plates and mugs, and 
serving out numbers of slices of white and brown 
bread. Breakfast over and rat-a-tat-tat on the 
drum, they march in review again, and the house- 
mother standing on the steps asks the children what 
is the Golden Text. They answer, giving, as they 
were taught at Sunday School in the chapel, the 
Golden Text for the week. Every day they say the 
Text and are bidden to remember it in their play 
until the passing week brings a new Golden Text, 
to be graven into their memories and lives. 

After the Text, they run off to the swings, the pool, 
to pluck flowers from the hillsides, to gather berries, 
to weave daisy chains and oak wreaths, to listen to 
stories told by wise and loving caretakers, to sing 
many a happy song, to play many a merry game, 
until dinner time, and again until evening, when 
supper comes, and the little chapel service follows, 
when the children hear short loving talks from the 



296 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

matron and caretakers about their "child king" 
Jesus, who put it into the hearts of kind friends to 
send them there; they sing httle hymns of praise 
and thanksgiving, and pray God to make and keep 
them good, and to bless the dear kind friends who 
sent them to this beautiful Home. 

Cool dormitories, filled with sleepy little folk; 
teachers and big children help the smaller ones 
to undress. All say "Our Father," and ^the Httle 
limbs are folded for the night; restless limbs are still, 
black heads and brown heads he quiet on white 
pillows; through open windows sweep winds from 
the Rockland Hills on one side and the Hudson on 
the other; moon and stars shine down like a benedic- 
tion on a placid river and solemn hills. Silence falls 
on Mont-Lawn. Even the busy caretakers, whose 
work has seemingly no end, may rest. 

Another writer described Mont-Lawn as the 
"Children's Garden of Eden." 

"During the day and night I spent there," she 
wrote, "I saw many things that made me glad — 
and alas! much to make one's heart ache. Little 
wistful faces would look up at me as I paused before 
a group of boys and girls, some of whom could not 
speak more than a word or two of English. One 
little Syrian, in whom I was particularly interested, 
stood apart from the others, solemnly watching them 
at their play. I took her by the hand, and going 
upon the wide veranda, seated myself in a big rocking 
chair. Taking the forlorn bit of humanity in my 
arms — she seemed about six years of age — I found 
that she was very gentle and could understand 



THE CRY OF THE CHH^DREN 297 

English a little. She told me her name was Mary. 
She lay a long time very still, and I thought she 
was dozing; it was near sunset, and the air so soft 
and balmy, I was glad if it would lull her to sleep. 
The Uttle curly head nestled against me and the 
long black lashes drooped over the olive cheek when 
suddenly she looked up, without moving, a glance 
that showed me she was far from sleeping. *What 
do you want, Mary.^' I asked. She answered only 
one word — 'Mama' — but it was enough to show 
that with beauty all around her and kindness on 
every hand, she still longed for the only one in the 
world who was really mother. 

"Saturday afternoons, Mr. Klopsch goes up to 
Mont-Lawn, and then the outdoor games begin in 
earnest — the bean game, foot races, and various 
other things, which this man of far-reaching inter- 
ests seems to enjoy as much as if he were one of 
the little ones. I could not help thinking, and re- 
peating over and over, 'except ye become as little 
children.' 

"And how the children love the man! When it 
came time for him to go, they lined up and gave him 
three rousing cheers. Then after watching him as 
far down the road as they could see, and waving their 
handkerchiefs, they suddenly, with one mind, scam- 
pered to the high platform at the other side of the 
house and waited, anxiously watching a turn in the 
road visible from this point down the mountain side. 
When the carriage came in sight, more than a mile 
away, such a cheer as went up from two hundred 
happy Uttle ones, and such frantic waving of hand- 



298 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

kerchiefs! And until another turn hid the carriage 
from us, an answering wave of the white signal of 
love." 

In 1909, C. O. S. Mawson, the Enghsh journal- 
ist, wrote an article telling "What a Stranger saw 
at Mont-Lawn." He was greatly impressed with 
everything he saw. He wrote: 

" *I love God and little children.' There are many 
in this fair land who would unhesitatingly make 
such an avowal; but how many are there whose 
love so expresses itself in worthy deeds .^ When I 
saw these golden words which adorn the entrance to 
the Children's Home at Nyack, the voices of three 
hundred happy children were ringing in my ears; 
the hillside resounded with a welcome such as falls 
to the lot of few men; and the genial founder. Dr. 
Klopsch, flung back the greeting in kind, a veritable 
boy received in triumph by his play-fellows. His 
is the part of a foster parent, yet a comrade withal. 
One look at his face as he beheld his beloved children 
revealed the love which he bears them — a love 
which is felt by every child, and to which every child 
responds. 

" Nowhere in the world have I seen such an under- 
taking as this; the very perfection of the scheme 
bespeaks an able organizer, as well as a lover of 
children. Mont-Lawn is not an ordinary institution; 
rather is it a village of clean and artistic homes, 
where the members all gather together at one family 
board, sing and worship in one Temple, and conform 
to the rules and guidance of one head. 'Health, 
happiness and harmony' are the watchwords. The 



THE CRY OF THE CHILDREN 299 

children know they are there to be happy, and to 
radiate happiness around them. They are there for 
a hohday; a hoUday all too brief, but free from every 
want or sadness. For at least ten days in their 
young lives their heaven is unclouded, and all seems 
radiant without and within. Looking at the bright 
upturned faces, it was hard to believe that these 
children were of the poorest and most friendless in 
the metropolis. How quickly fresh air, good food, 
and happy surroundings transform even the most 
delicate child! 

"What particularly impressed me was the fact 
that in this vast charitable enterprise the seal of 
charity in its worldly sense is nowhere visible. The 
most sensitive child could feel no sense of shame or 
patronage. For instance, should a child arrive in 
ragged and wretched clothing, an outfit is provided 
by the Home, but all semblance of uniformity is 
conspicuous by its absence. These friendless chil- 
dren (can they indeed be friendless with such a 
friend?) are virtually at Mont-Lawn as the young 
guests of The Christian Herald. 

"The obvious intelligence of the children was most 
notable. Doubtless their native environment tends 
to foster this precocity. In our talk, the able 
and courteous lady superintendent of the Home 
assured me that not only are the children most 
intelligent, but as mouldable as wax. Dr. Klopsch 
rightly instils a spirit of obedience and disciphne. 

"Still more remarkable is their singing; and it 
seemed inconceivable that one-third of these clear- 
voiced singers had only been there one day, and 



300 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

another third but three days. When the children 
took their places in the beautiful Temple, the crown- 
ing gift of the founder, their singing was heard to 
great advantage. The swing and the go were mag- 
nificent. In perfect tune, and with an enthusiasm 
that no American child ever lacks when singing of 
his beloved country, they commence the exercises 
with that patriotic song: 

It matters not where we may roam. 

Or what may be our quest, 
Our own, our dear old native land 

We're sure to love the best. 

"At the close of each verse, every child produced 
a miniature flag and waved it aloft to the time of 
the rousing chorus. Standing as we were on the 
platform, facing the young singers, the spectacle was 
at once affective and inspiring. When the last notes 
of the organ died away, every right hand was raised, 
every eye upturned to the outspread stars and stripes, 
and every voice clearly and proudly proclaimed : 

" *I pledge allegiance to my flag, and to the republic 
for which it stands; one nation indivisible, with lib- 
erty and justice for all.'" 

The Children's Temple, to which this writer re- 
ferred, was one of the many improvements which Dr. 
Klopsch, with the aid of The Christian Herald con- 
tributions, made at Mont-Lawn. In it are held the 
Sunday services. They are truly the children of 
all nations who gather there to worship, and there 
are those by whom the bright Temple service is 
looked upon with round-eyed wonder as a mysterious 



THE CRY OF THE CHttDREN 301 

rite. To all, however, it grows precious with the 
association, and the seed which is sown so wisely 
and lovingly during the quiet Sunday afternoon 
bears out the parable of old — though some fall by 
the wayside and among thorns and stony places, 
yet others fall into good and fertile soil, which shall 
bring forth a glorious harvest in time to come. 

"When Dr. Klopsch rises," said a writer telling of 
the Temple services, "scores of youthful hearts are 
ready for his message — a message unique in its 
application to the barren lives of his young auditors. 
*Once upon a time,' he begins in the good old way, 
* there was in the far-off city of Florence a rare and 
beautiful statue. Of spotless and snowy marble the 
fair and delicate beauty of the figure was so graceful 
in its outline, so full of harmony in its pose, that 
every eye which beheld it acknowledged its perfec- 
tion. There came a day when the people of Florence 
were allowed to enter the great gallery of art in 
which this gem of sculpture stood. 

"* Among the great throng who poured through 
the open doors and passed before the wonderful ex- 
pression of a master's art, there was one small 
Florentine girl, dirty and tattered and poor, oh so 
poor, with a big beautiful soul that responded greatly 
to the beauty which surrounded her. She stood 
motionless before the statue, gazing with rapt eyes 
at every detail of grace and purity. Then the little 
one stole away, turning with dragging feet to her 
own squalid home. But she took the memory of the 
marble with her in all its immaculate spotlessness, 
and her first act was to cleanse her own soiled hands 



302 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

and face, that they might bear some resemblance to 
the stately white figure of the Florentine statue. 

" ' Day by day the little child of poverty crept back 
to feast her beauty-loving heart upon the master- 
piece. Day by day, as she returned to her home, 
she sought to bring the lesson of the statue into 
her own poor life. The slender little body was pure 
and clean now, rough boards were scoured, and even 
the indifferent mother, who regarded the change in 
her child with astonishment, was moved to effort 
by her little daughter's great longing to bring into 
the humble home some reminder of the snowy image 
which had inspired within her hungry heart a great 
yearning for cleanliness and grace. 

'''That, children, is what we want Mont-Lawn to 
become to you. May this fair and beautiful domain, 
in all its shining cleanliness, be to your lives the 
Florentine statue, from which you shall learn habits 
of neatness, repose of manner, and both moral and 
physical grace and charm. When you go hom^e, 
children, carry with you the memory of the pure 
white statue, never forgetting that cleanliness and 
order are lessons well worth learning; that only 
the hand of the divine Sculptor can make us all 
glorious within.'" 

The Fourth of July is always a great day at Mont- 
Lawn. The lessons of patriotism, as will be seen 
from what has been told of the exercises and of the 
impressions of different visitors, are not limited to a 
single day. But Independence Day is the culmina- 
tion. Speakers of note are always glad to volunteer 
their presence and to tell the little folks what the day 



THE CRY OF THE CHILDREN 303 

has meant in the past and what it should mean in 
the future. 

That there are many races and nationalities among 
the children who celebrate the independence of the 
United States will be apparent from what already 
has been told of them. *'How many of you are 
Germans?" asked Dr. Klopsch on one Fourth of 
July. Nearly a hundred hands went up. "How 
many are Italians.^" Perhaps twenty -five hands 
were uplifted. "How many Jewish.^" A generous 
sprinkling of hands followed. "How many Ameri- 
cans.^" and now more hands than ever rose. The 
rest were divided among Irish, Scandinavians, a few 
Syrians, Hungarians, and one wee dainty little tot, 
whose name, Annie Yun Toy, would have proclaimed 
her a tiny human flower of the celestial kingdom, 
even if her twinkling, beady black eyes had not. 
But when Dr. Klopsch asked the last question, 
"How many mean to make noble American men and 
women.?" every arm flew to its highest point. It was 
a sight at which the pessimist, who stalks abroad, 
gloomily prophesying the downfall of American insti- 
tutions, would have hid his face in shame. 

At the celebration in 1907, Rear-Admiral Charles 
D. Sigsbee talked to the little ones. He told them 
of the progress of our country, the righteous cause 
of her wars, and the happy and prosperous present. 
Referring to the encouraging conditions which are 
giving us the opportunity to educate the children of 
an immigrant population for the glorious destiny 
of American citizenship which awaits them, he closed 
by saying that it was always an inspiration to him, 



304 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

as he traveled over the country, to look into the faces 
of the children, and to realize that they represented 
the potential strength of the future. At the close 
of the exercises, everybody was pleased to receive 
a cordial handshake from the gallant commander 
of the Maine. 

In the celebration of 1908, the visitors were greatly 
impressed by the flag drill by the children on the big 
lawn. The salute to the flag was one of the patriotic 
events of the day, and showed how deeply rooted is 
the love of country in the heart of even the poorest 
child. On this occasion one of the speakers was the 
Rev. David Charles Hughes, father of the distin- 
guished Governor of New York, who gave a brief, 
but effective talk, which was enjoyed by the grown- 
ups, as well as the children. 

The last celebration of the Fourth to be chronicled, 
July 4, 1910, was without the presence of the founder 
and patron. How greatly he was missed, all can tell, 
but as was his wish, the patriotic exercises went for- 
ward as in the past. Mrs. Klopsch came up from 
New York and spent the greater part of the day, 
greatly to the pleasure of all those who loved Mont- 
Lawn and its founder. During the day she held an 
almost continuous reception, and at the service of 
song in the chapel, had a place of honor on the 
platform. Dr. G. H. Sandison, managing editor of 
The Christian Herald, presided, and introduced as 
the leading orator of the day Hon. Arthur S. Tomp- 
kins, Judge of the Supreme Court, who delivered a 
stirring and patriotic address on "The Day We 
Celebrate." The next speaker, Mr. Don O. Shelton, 



THE CRY OF THE CHttDREN 305 

president of the National Bible Institute of New 
York, took as his topic "Our Young Folks," and gave 
some splendid practical advice to both children and 
adults. Cynthia Westover Alden, president of the 
International Sunshine Society, spoke on *' Sun- 
shiny Lives" and told her hearers how they might 
learn to radiate happiness everywhere. Kate Upson 
Clark, of The Christian Herald editorial staff, and 
well known as an author and lecturer, gave some 
excellent advice to "Our Girls." Rev. Dr. C. H. 
Mead kept the children in roars of laughter, and the 
big folks as well, by his inimitable stories. The one 
sad task of the day was assigned to Rev. Dr. Ferdi- 
nand C. Iglehart, who spoke on "Our Friends Who 
Have Passed Over." His address was an eloquent 
tribute to the memory of the late Dr. Louis Klopsch, 
the founder of Mont-Lawn and the "Children's 
Friend." 

Rear-Admiral Charles D. Sigsbee, who came down 
from the Catskills specially to visit Mont-Lawn, and 
who is a popular favorite there, made a brief address, 
which was greatly enjoyed. 

Just as the oratorical programme was about to 
conclude, a slender man of distinguished mien, clad 
in a flowing robe of some silken stuff, and with a 
thoughtful scholarly face, stepped from an open 
carriage at the entrance gate of Mont-Lawn. He 
was accompanied by a younger man, dressed in a 
light summer suit of American make. The visitors 
were His Excellency Chang Yin Tang, Ambassador 
of China to the United States, and his son and sec- 
retary, Hon. Henry Chang. Minister Chang had 



306 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

come to see the little tenement guests of Mont- 
Lawn at their holiday exercises. Like his predeces- 
sor. Minister Wu Ting Fang, Minister Chang was 
familiar with the great work done in China by The 
Christian Herald and its readers in relieving suflFering 
during the great famine, and in supporting a large 
number of orphans who were left parentless and 
destitute after the famine ended. Minister Chang 
was introduced to the assemblage and through his 
secretary made a brief address. He spoke in terms 
of high commendation of the generous efforts of 
The Christian Herald and its readers in China and 
other lands and paid a noble tribute to the memory 
of Dr. Klopsch. He expressed the hope that The 
Christian Herald might go on successfully in its 
beneficent career of world-wide philanthropy and 
helpfulness, and that its readers might continue to 
enjoy the blessings that come to all who strive for 
the uplift of humanity. 

Many of the leading guests were then presented 
to Minister Chang, who received all most graciously. 
After watching with deep interest the games and 
drill of the children on the wide-spreading lawn, 
he walked over to "Fort Plenty" and stood by, a 
greatly interested spectator, while the children filed 
in to take seats for supper. Minister and secretary 
watched with wide-open eyes the long orderly pro- 
cession file past and deploy into the different aisles, 
each group taking seats at its proper table. Then 
the clear, young voices were raised in the simple 
little song of thanksgiving and all fell to eating with 
hearty appetites. Before leaving Mont-Lawn, Min- 



THE CRY OF THE CHILDREN 307 

ister Chang expressed his appreciation of his expe- 
rience there in unmeasured terms. ' 

The evening passed quickly with games and music, 
the Piccaninny Band fairly eclipsing itself in its 
instrumental efforts. "Twilight tea" was served 
to the guests where they sat on the porches and the 
lawn. Then as the shadows fell and the long, per- 
fect summer day drew to a close, a brilliant display 
of fireworks made beautiful Mont-Lawn luminous 
for miles around. By eight o'clock the visitors had 
departed, Matron Hyde had all her little boys and 
girls in bed in the dormitories, and haK an hour later 
all was quiet at the *' Children's Paradise." Sleep 
reigned over Mont-Lawn. 

It was Dr. Klopsch's hope that the Children's 
Home — his favorite benevolence — might ultimately 
be endowed, so that it should be beyond any need of 
annual appeals. Had he lived, he would undoubtedly 
have accomplished this purpose; but called away 
from his labors by death, he left the unfinished task 
as a legacy to those who have been the friends and 
supporters of this beautiful benevolence for many 
years, knowing that they would not fail to perpetuate 
the work he had so lovingly founded and so success- 
fully conducted. Had he been asked to choose, 
Mont-Lawn would have been the only monument 
he would have desired. "I Love God and Little 
Children" was written over its gates by Dr. Klopsch's 
direction. He put his own best love and service into 
this beneficent work. He spent there what he used 
to recall as the most enjoyable days of his life, among 
the little children. Let Mont-Lawn be his Monu- 



308 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

ment, a permanent institution and a Memorial to 
his great love for the children of the poor! 

Shortly after his death, when the subject of its 
endowment as a lasting memorial to his memory was 
brought up by some friends, President Taft, hearing 
of the matter, spoke to the Rev. J. Wesley Hill in 
cordial commendation of the Children's Home, and 
added that if the movement for its endowment were 
started, he would be glad to be a contributor. 

It is confidently hoped that when this generous 
approval from so high a source is made public, many 
friends will be found willing to cooperate liberally 
in the proposed endowment, so that the "Children's 
Paradise" may be put on a permanent and enduring 
footing. 



CHAPTER XVII 

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER 

BROAD FIELD OF THE EVANGELICAL NEWSPAPER THE WEEKLY PULPIT AND 

OTHER FEATURES SYMPOSIUMS ON IMPORTANT TOPICS — FAMOUS CONTRIBU- 
TORS — DwiGHT L. Moody's gratitude for important services — edi- 
torial ASSOCIATES — "the CHRISTIAN HERALD's" SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN 
TO RESTORE THE MOTTO "iN GOD WE TRUST " ON THE NATIONAL COINAGE 

— ANTI-MORMON AGITATION — SUPPORT OP TEMPERANCE DR. KJLOPSCH's 

ORIGINAL METHODS — BELIEF IN PUBLICITY — INTDkLA-TE PERSONAL RELATION 

WITH SUBSCRIBERS USEFULNESS AS A PUBLISHER OF GOOD LITERATURE 

CIRCULATING THE SCRIPTURES THE RED LETTER BIBLE. 

THE influence of the newspaper for good or 
evil is universally recognized. Happily on 
the part of most journals it is exerted for 
good. Whether the publication be daily, weekly, or 
monthly, its functions are essentially the same. 
The field is the world. The sphere of usefulness 
widens from year to year. 

Dr. Klopsch was a born journalist. His intuitive 
perception of what interests people, of how to reach 
them in a manner to attract and hold them, of how 
to interest them in what is going on around and about 
them; his originality in planning and his ableness in 
execution made him the ideal head of a great news- 
paper. That he chose the evangelical field, rather 
than the secular one, was often the occasion of 
comment by those who were in control of great daily 
newspapers. They recognized in him a compeer 
and they thought that in their own domain he would 

309 



SIO LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

have found even a broader ground for action. Dr. 
Klopsch did not share this opinion. He beHeved 
that the evangeUeal newspaper had fully as wide a 
field as the secular one. It was for him to plow 
the field, as he sometimes put it, in his own way 
in order to show that he was not mistaken. He 
rarely talked about the mission of journalism, but 
he fulfilled that mission to the utmost. 

In the editorial and other features, Dr. Klopsch 
always aimed at freshness and at attractive treat- 
ment of current news events, while seeking at the 
same time the deeper significance which lay beyond 
them. He believed in satisfying legitimate curiosity 
as to what was going on all over the world, particu- 
larly new discoveries and progress. He believed 
also in telling about people who through their 
own deeds had made themselves interesting. There 
was always a motive behind the articles which were 
published, but his preference was, as he often said, 
that the sermon should preach itself. Of the young 
folks he was always thoughtful. He believed that 
good reading for them meant the foundation for 
wholesome lives and he sought to lay that founda- 
tion broad and deep. 

The "weekly pulpit" was one of the first features 
which Dr. Klopsch established and during the life- 
time of Dr. T. DeWitt Talmage, his sermons were 
printed regularly, reaching a vast audience. 

After the death of Dr. Talmage, the "weekly pul- 
pit" continued to be filled by other noted divines 
who have a message, and who are glad to convey it 
through The Christian Herald. 



EDITOR AND PUBLISHER 311 

Dr. Klopsch was a believer in getting at other 
people's opinions. Hence the frequency with which 
symposiums on various topics appeared. Sometimes 
they related purely to rehgious topics; sometimes 
they centered on secular subjects, but always with 
a distinct purpose in view of bringing out the 
moral element in secular affairs. In this way Dr. 
Klopsch kept his readers in touch with what men of 
thought were thinking, and of what men of action 
were doing. One of the symposiums brought the fol- 
lowing suggestive letter from Miss Helen Gould: 

Lyndhurst, Irvington-on-Hudson. 
Mr. Louis Klopsch, 

Dear Sir: Your letter of October 4th is at hand asking 
my opinion on the subject "How to make the most of wealth.'* 
It is a topic on which I am not well qualified to speak, and I 
would suggest that you make this same inquiry of some of 
our leading clergymen whose views would be a great inspira- 
tion to us all. 

The Christian idea that wealth is a stewardship, or trust, 
and not to be used for one's personal pleasure alone but for 
the welfare of others, certainly seems the noblest, and those 
who have more money or broader culture owe a debt to those 
who have had fewer opportunities. And there are so many 
ways in which one can help! 

Children, the sick and the aged especially have claims on 
our attention, and the forms of work for them are numerous, 
from kindergartens, day nurseries and industrial schools, to 
"homes" and hospitals. Our institutions for higher education 
require gifts in order to do their best work, for the tuition fees 
do not cover the expense of the advantages offered; and cer- 
tainly such societies as those in our churches, and the Young 
Women's Christian Association and Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association deserve our hearty co-operation. The earnest 



312 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

workers who so nobly and lovingly give their lives to promote 
the welfare of others, give far more than though they had simply 
made gifts of money, so those who cannot afford to give largely 
need not feel discouraged on that account. After all, sympathy 
and good will may be a greater force than wealth, and we can 
all extend to others a kindly feehng and courteous considera- 
tion that will make life sweeter and better. 

Sometimes it seems to me we do not sufficiently realise the 
good that is done by money that is used in the different indus- 
tries in giving employment to great numbers of people under 
the direction of clever men and women; and surely it takes 
more ability, perseverance and time to successfully manage 
such an enterprise than to merely make gifts. 

You will, I am sure, be sorry you have made the inquiry 
of me since I have given you so little information, but I think 
you can easily obtain opinions that will be far more helpful 
than mine. BeHeve me, 

Very truly, 

Helen Miller Gould. 

October 8th, 1900. 

The Rev. Charles H. Spurgeon, the famous Baptist 
preacher of England, who for a generation thrilled 
the Christian world with his eloquent messages, was 
a contributor in the early days of The Christian 
Herald, His sermons were published in its columns 
until his death in 1892. 

The columns of The Christian Herald bear evi- 
dence to the famous men and women who have been 
contributors. Most of these were glad to secure 
such a medium. The Rev. Charles M. Sheldon, the 
author of ''In His Steps," was a frequent contributor, 
both of serials and of short articles. When Pastor 
Sheldon began the experiment of printing a daily 
paper in Topeka, such as he believed Christ would 



EDITOR AND PUBLISHER 313 

have sanctioned. Dr. Klopsch sent a special repre- 
sentative to Topeka to describe the experiment. 

The Rev. Cyrus Townsend Brady contributed 
some of his stirring fiction. Marion Harland was 
a regular contributor. 

Blind Fanny Crosby, whose sweet hymns have 
brought consolation to millions of Christian hearts, 
published many of her hymns for the first time in 
The Christian Herald, On her ninetieth birthday in 
1910, a sketch of her appeared. 

Mrs. Amelia E. Barr, the writer of wholesome fic- 
tion, found place for many of her serial stories. 

Florence Morse Kingsley was one of Dr. Klopsch's 
valued contributors. 

Marietta HoUey, better known as "Aunt Saman- 
tha," brightened its columns by her own humor with 
its moral tone. 

Pastor Charles Wagner also found the medium 
for reiterating his messages on the "Simple Life" 
in the columns of The Christian Herald, A very in- 
teresting story of his visit to Dr. Klopsch, and the 
story of his own work, was published in November, 
1894, in The Christian Herald, Some excerpts are 
made from the article: 

"It was a day of bright, sparkling sunshine. New 
York's principal streets were crowded with gay holi- 
day shoppers, and Broadway was almost impassable, 
owing to the multitude who thronged the sidewalks 
and streamed in and out of the stores. Women pre- 
dominated, and all ages and conditions were repre- 
sented. The brilliant displays in the shop windows 
drew in a steady stream of buyers. 

"On the same day of the scene above described, 



314 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Pastor Wagner entered The Christian Herald offices 
in the Bible House. He came unannounced, his tall, 
athletic form filling the doorway, and a smile lighting 
up his ruddy face. The Alsatian is a well-pre- 
served man of fifty-two, broad-shouldered, and with 
a physique which suggests athletic power. A slight 
stoop betrays the student. He stood irresolute for 
a moment. 

" 'Pardon me,' he began. 'I came to see a gentle- 
man — I quite forget his name — the man who went 
to India, Finland and Norwegen, to feed those famine 
people.' 

"This unconventional introduction sufficed,' and a 
moment later Pastor Wagner was ensconced in the 
biggest and easiest leather chair in the editorial sanc- 
tum. Warmly greeted by Dr. Klopsch and associates, 
he began to talk freely of his American visit and 
his work at home. 

" Being asked concerning his work at home, he said: 
'It is twenty -three years ago since I began the work 
on which I am now engaged. My purpose was to 
present to my own people a clearer view of practical 
religion, which all might understand, and to bring 
to them a definite comprehension of the purpose for 
which we are placed in this world.'" 

Ira D. Sankey, Moody's comrade, the song evan- 
gelist, was one of Dr. Klopsch's earhest friends, 
and his contributions appeared in the journal. 
Dwight L. Moody was one of Dr. Klopsch's most 
valued and appreciative friends, and his contribu- 
tions to The Christian Herald were most welcome. 
The great evangelist never forgot the services which 
Dr. Klopsch so freely rendered to the causes which 
were dearest to his heart. In 1894, when the Bible 
Institute at Chicago was in financial straits, Dr. 



EDITOR AND PUBLISHER 315 

Klopsch came to the front at once and started the 
"Moody Gospel Fund," making one of his direct 
appeals to his readers. He sent a check for $1,000 
as the first response to his appeal, and followed it 
with later contributions, explaining that the fund 
was being raised to enable the Bible Institute in 
Chicago to train, educate, and send forth an army 
of Christian workers among the millions of unevan- 
gelized in the cities and towns of America. 

**The Bible Institute," said The Christian Herald, 
"is to the world's hosts what the drilling camp is to 
an army. It trains the raw recruit into the trained 
soldier. A thrilling national peril may call out thou- 
sands of fine men to the national standard, but it 
would be only courting defeat to lead them imme- 
diately like a helpless mob against the enemy. 
Enthusiasm is not sufficient, as great generals have 
proven again and again. The recruit must be taught 
the use of his weapons, must learn how to turn them 
to account, and how to cooperate with others. In 
opposing the great adversary of souls, like prepara- 
tion is needed, as the untrained worker finds to his 
cost. And to do this effectively, the facilities of the 
Bible Institute must at once be increased tenfold. 
It is a campaign in which there is no retreat." 

A grateful and encouraging acknowledgment of the 
first contribution was received from Mr. Moody. It 
was as follows: 

East Northfield, Mass., July 16, 1894. 
Dear Mr. Klopsch: I beg to acknowledge receipt of your 
check for $1,000 for the Bible Institute of Chicago. Permit 
me to thank you for your kindness in allowing The Christian 



316 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Herald to become the vehicle for presenting to the public the 
claims of the Institute, and to thank your readers through you 
for their prompt and generous response to the appeal. To 
every one of your readers who has contributed to this fund I 
wish to express my sincere gratitude. They are helping the 
cause of Christ more than they know. The doors of the Insti- 
tute are besieged by earnest consecrated intelligent men and 
women who need only such training as is given in the Institute 
to become successful soul-winners. This money that comes 
through you enables us to receive some of them. But there 
are many others still waiting. For them I appeal. Christ 
waits for their services, the world waits for their life-giving 
message. I long to send them forth properly equipped for 
their work. May I hope that you wiU continue to receive con- 
tributions for the purpose.^ And may God bless you and your 
noble journal and your generous readers. 

(Signed) D. L. Moody. 

The Christian Herald continued to raise contribu- 
tions for the Institute at Chicago, and since that 
period it has been a constant supporter of the Bible 
Institute at East Northfield, Mass., cooperating, 
after the death of Dwight L. Moody, with his son, 
W. R. Moody. A striking series of unpublished ser- 
mons of the great evangelist was published in The 
Christian Herald in the summer of 1910. 

In his editorial aides, Dr. Klopsch always had 
loyal support. For years Dr. B. J. Fernie was one 
of the associate editors and gave his fervent piety 
and great industry to the work. Dr. G. H. Sandi- 
son, who still continues as the managing editor of the 
paper, was associated with Dr. Klopsch for twenty 
years. Mrs. Margaret E. Sangster has almost as 
long a service. Dr. Ferdinand C. Iglehart was a 
later and valued addition to the editorial depart- 



EDITOR AND PUBLISHER 317 

ment. In the art department, which was always a 
feature of the paper because Dr. Klopsch beheved 
that there was no greater educating influence than 
good pictures, Mr. A. J. Belford presided for years 
and still remains. 

An instance where Dr. Klopsch put The Christian 
Herald to a most effective use by an aggressive 
campaign was in the demand that the motto, "In 
God We Trust," be restored to the national coinage. 
It may be remembered that in 1907, for so-called 
artistic reasons, the motto was taken off and the 
coins of the United States appeared without it. 

The story of the motto was told in a letter to 
The Christian Herald by C. R. Gehrhart of Lock- 
haven, Penn. In 1861, President Lincoln appointed 
Ex-Governor James Pollock of that state. Director 
of the United States Mint. Governor Pollock had 
been called "the great Christian Governor of Penn- 
sylvania," as Andrew G. Curtin, who succeeded him, 
was "the War Governor." He was a ruling elder 
in the Presbyterian Church for well-nigh a genera- 
tion. He was a lawyer of eminence, having gradu- 
ated from Princeton College. He served in Congress 
and was instrumental in getting the appropriation 
to build the experimental telegraph line between 
Baltimore and Washington, which his friend Prof. 
S. F. B. Morse organized. Mr. Pollock for many 
years was Sunday School Superintendent of the West 
Arch Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. He was 
President of the Board of Trustees of Lafayette 
College and President of the American Sunday 
School Union. Mr. Pollock enjoyed the friendship 



318 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

and confidence of President Lincoln, and there is 
every reason to believe that the bill which he framed, 
and which provided for the motto, was approved by- 
Mr. Lincoln. The bill passed both House and Sen- 
ate by unanimous vote, and until the brief period in 
1907, and the early part of 1908, "In God We Trust" 
appeared on our national coinage. 

Dr. Klopsch did not question the motives of those 
who had been responsible for removing the motto. 
He simply demanded in the name of the Christian 
people of America that it be restored. In response 
to this demand, numerous bills were introduced in 
Congress for that purpose, and many Congressmen 
pledged their support. The result was victory for 
the motto. In March, 1908, the bill for restoring it 
passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 
259 yeas to 5 nays. In the debate, Representative 
Ellis of South Carolina quoted the following verse 
on the subject: 

We bowed before the shrine of wealth, 
And, drunk with riches, went astray. 

Restore, O God, the nation's health 
And lead it in the old true way! 

In sorrow, shame and vain regret, 

We plead that thou will spare us yet. 

The measure was soon passed by the Senate, and 
the motto was later restored to the national coinage 
of the United States. 

When the women of America started the agitation 
against what was considered recognition of plural 
marriage by allowing a Mormon Representative 
from Utah to be seated in Congress, The Christian 



EDITOR AND PUBLISHER 319 

Herald was in full sympathy with them. Its columns 
were opened to their protests, and a great national 
movement began, which resulted in triumph for the 
women, the Mormon Congressman retiring from 
his seat. In this campaign. The Christian Herald 
secured the legal opinion of the eminent jurist, 
Ex-Senator George F. Edmunds, regarding the best 
form for a constitutional amendment, which would 
meet the vital question. 

For the temperance movement in all its forms, 
The Christian Herald was always open. It con- 
stantly encouraged every organized effort to grapple 
with the drink evil, and the Women's Christian 
Temperance Union and other organizations of wide 
scope and genuine activity always found support 
from Dr. Klopsch. 

There are other phases of Dr. Klopsch's career as 
an editor and publisher which give an insight into 
some of his remarkable characteristics. It was here 
that his originality, his fertility of invention, his 
ableness in trying new ideas, found their fullest scope. 
In his business relations he was noted among the 
publishers of the country as one who had the execu- 
tive quality developed to an extraordinary degree. 
He was a master of men and knew how to use a large 
force to the best advantage. He constantly invited 
the submission of new ideas, and it was amusing to 
note the deftness with which he sifted them out and 
adapted them to practical uses, never failing to 
recognize and reward the suggester. 

The value of publicity in every proper form was 
something that Dr. Klopsch keenly appreciated. 



320 LIFE-WORK OP LOUIS KLOPSCH 

He did not believe that a publisher should hide his 
light under a bushel, nor that a public man who 
served a large constituency, distributed over an 
entire continent, should be a recluse. A favorite 
motto of his was: 

Do all the good you can. 
To everybody you can. 
And tell all the people you can. 

This is sound logic and good practical business 
philosophy. The result was that his name and work 
became known throughout the whole country, and 
in many other lands. He did not do this for vain- 
glory; it was with him purely a matter of business. 
There was no man in the publishing business in 
America who was more widely known. From the 
farming districts and stock raising ranches in the far 
West up to Alaska, up and down through the great 
Canadian Northwest, down to the borders of Mex- 
ico, and in every state in the Union, his name was 
a household word, synonymous with big charitable 
enterprises. 

Another evidence of his appreciation of the value 
of publicity was found in his methods of advertising. 
He looked beyond mere monetary results and saw 
the advantages to be derived from the impression 
made on the public mind, and especially on the 
minds of the publishing trade and general adver- 
tisers. His advertising broadsides thus had a double 
object in view: they brought in subscriptions by 
the tens of thousands, and sold innumerable premi- 
ums, and they also placed his journal at the top of 



EDITOR AND PUBLISHER 321 

the ladder for advertising propaganda, and gave 
it a high standing among advertisers generally. In 
the Periodical Publishers' Association, which is com- 
posed of the leading weekly and monthly magazines 
and journals of the United States, Dr. Klopsch was 
an influential factor. His judgment was highly 
respected by his associates, who frequently sought 
his advice. 

A trade paper. Printers' InJc, in discussing Dr. 
Klopsch's position, said: 

The religious press has no other personal representative who 
combines evangeUcal enthusiasm and business methods hke 
Louis Klopsch. Of course that is what we would look for in 
a man that built up a great newspaper property upon the 
foundations of the nation's behef in missionaries, and an 
inherited fondness for universal salvation. He publishes a 
paper that makes an elementary appeal to the people who 
believe in the Christian religion. His clientele is the civilized 
world. The enterprising and progressive paper that seeks 
new fields must go far abroad. Louis Klopsch has success- 
fully led The Christian Herald into that vague pasturage; but, 
after all, the man is there. Charitable impulses could follow 
the pulse of the people until they died from self-suffoca- 
tion. Unless they were directed and aided to a healthful 
flow, that is what would happen. That is what Louis Klopsch 
professes to have done. He says, **I apply twentieth century 
methods to the new necessities of a crowded twentieth century 
life." His mind deals with great suffering, and he seeks to 
relieve it by great methods. 

Dr. Klopsch himself did not object to being called 
sensational, when that term was not misunderstood. 
His views on this point were given in a New York 
newspaper, which published a symposium at a time 



32a LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

when there was much talk about sensationaUsm in 
the pulpit. Dr. Klopsch wrote: 

"Everything that is in the domain of public 
morals; everything that makes for or against public 
virtue; everything that tends to uplift or debase 
a community, state or nation, is a fitting subject for 
consideration by the Christian pulpit. Christ him- 
self set the example of wholesome and fearless criti- 
cism in his dealings with conditions and events as 
he found them. He scored the corrupters, the 
squanderers, the usurers, the selfish rich and the 
publicans or politicians, as deservedly as he rebuked 
the scribes and Pharisees. 

"The pulpit diflfers from the press and the public 
forum in the sense that it is specifically spiritual. 
It should not lend itself to political methods, nor 
permit itself to be used for the purpose of any party 
or faction. If it does so, its influence instantly 
ceases. To indulge in individual criticism of per- 
sons, simply because they happen to be prominent 
in public affairs or finance, is in the worst possible 
taste, and wholly out of place in a pulpit. At the 
same time, the preacher who, in consequence of the 
liberal gifts or the generous support of the rich, 
allows himself to become blind to the existence of 
wrongs that ought to be righted, and evils that 
should be denounced, is a faithless shepherd, imtrue 
to his high calling, and unworthy the confidence of 
his people." 

In the other aspects of his work as editor and 
publisher. Dr. Klopsch came into the most intimate 
relation with those, who, while actual strangers to 



EDITOR AND PUBLISHER 323 

him, felt that he was not a stranger to them. Men 
wrote to him for advice about their business affairs, 
and as to the distribution of funds for benevolent 
and church purposes; preachers of all denomina- 
tions addressed him as "Dear Brother Klopsch." 
Churches carried their troubles to him, and he was 
a rehable and sagacious adviser. 

In his large enterprises outside of The Christian 
Herald, he came in contact with people of high 
station, not only at home, but also abroad. By 
sheer force of gravity he came to the front in almost 
every national and international enterprise of benevo- 
lent or humane character. All of these things gave 
the man and his journal the highest imaginable 
prestige, and put it upon a pinnacle of popularity as 
an organ of wide-spread humanitarianism such as no 
other publication in the world has ever before 
enjoyed. Yet, with all the publicity and honor and 
attention that were bestowed upon him, Dr. Klopsch 
did not overestimate their value, but took them 
rather as a tribute to the work than to himself. He 
often expressed his simple gratitude at being chosen 
as the instrument by which so many of God's people 
all over the country could work out their plans for 
the betterment of humanity. 

"I am merely the channel," he would say, "through 
which these good people are working. It is their 
good hearts and generous hands, supplemented by 
my head, which is accomplishing these things, and I 
esteem it a pleasure and a privilege to be so used." 

When he had no great enterprises on hand to 
engross his attention and demand his utmost ener- 



324 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

gies, he would be sure to find in some corner of the 
daily newspapers, or in some letter received through 
the mail, a case worthy of attention. It might be 
some poor family about to be dispossessed, for whom 
he would offer to pay the rent, or secure new quar- 
ters; and he would never omit to send a supply of 
food from the nearest grocery or bakery. Some old 
farmer at a distance, about to lose his property, would 
be succored temporarily and helped to fight out the 
battle under better auspices. These cases, which 
were constantly occurring, were merely incidents, 
as he looked on them, in his business as an editor 
and publisher. 

It would be diflScult to estimate the good that Dr. 
IQopsch did in his publishing business, by supply- 
ing good Hterature at popular prices. Many of 
the books he issued, either as premiums with The 
Christian Herald, or as separate ventures, have a 
permanent value and go to make up many a library. 
His greatest work as a publisher probably was in 
Bible distribution. Dr. Klopsch, having all his life 
been an ardent student of the Bible, conceived the 
idea which took form in the issue of the "Red 
Letter Bible." This he designed to show, first, the 
words in the New Testament actually spoken by 
the Saviour; and second, the prophetic references 
to Christ in the Old Testament. To carry out this 
idea, he engaged the services of a number of dis- 
tinguished Bible scholars, including several leading 
college professors in this country and abroad. To 
each of these he wrote explaining the nature of the 
work, and giving to each a certain part of the books 



EDITOR AND PUBLISHER 325 

of the Old and New Testaments to mark for the 
"Red Letter" edition. When the entire Bible was 
finished, the separate books were then interchanged 
among these workers, so that each eminent scholar 
practically went over the entire Bible and annotated 
the work already done by the others. Many months 
were occupied in this interchange, but at last the 
task was accomplished. 

The "Red Letter Testament" was produced, and 
it met with such instant success that soon the entire 
Bible was put in press. Since then it has been sold 
all over the world and has been of the greatest 
assistance to Bible students everywhere. Their 
Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden made a 
special acknowledgment of their appreciation of the 
"Red Letter Testament." An edition of the "Red 
Letter Testament" was published in German. "Red 
Letter Bibles" have been issued by various publish- 
ing houses in imitation of Dr. Klopsch's original 
product, and they have met with a large sale. 

It is doubtful whether any single agency equalled 
Dr. EHopsch as a Bible distributor. During his 
management of The Christian Herald, it is estimated 
that for many years he issued not less than 60,000 
Bibles and Testaments annually, both black and 
red letter. The various Bible societies awarded him 
the honor of being the one man above all others 
who helped to make the Bible the most widely read 
book on the North American continent. 



CHAPTER XVIII 



THE MAN AND HIS METHODS 

MARKS OP GREAT BUSINESS CAPACITY — HOW HIS PHILANTHROPIC CAMPAIGNS 
WERE ORGANIZED WAYS OF COLLECTING FUNDS MANNER OF DISTRIBU- 
TION A SACRED STEWARDSHIP DR. KLOPSCH's INTIMATE PERSONAL RE- 
LATIONSHIP WITH RELIEF CONTRIBUTORS INSTANCES OF QUICK PERCEPTION 

MR. SANDISON's account OF GOING AHEAD ON FAITH APPLICATION OP 

ABILITY IN HIS OWN AFFAIRS THINKING IN FIGURES AN HOUR IN " THE 

CHRISTIAN herald" OFFICE ADVICE TO A CONVICT KINDLY RELATIONS 

WITH ASSOCIATES AND EMPLOYEES IMPRESSIONS OP A FOREIGN VISITOR 

— PERSONALITY ANALYZED BY A HINDU JOURNALIST — SUNDAY SCHOOL 
ACTIVITIES. 

WORKS speak for the man. The wide field 
of philanthropy covered by Dr. Klopsch's 
various enterprises could only have been 
undertaken by a man of the broadest sympathies. 
He was born into the world to do good — one of 
the great inspirational forces of his generation. In 
all he did the evangelical spirit was dominant. Yet 
his charitable impulses and benevolent instincts were 
always regulated by sound judgment and common 
sense. 

These qualities were really the marks of great 
business capacity. Dr. Klopsch was a master of 
commercial organization. He had the faculty of in- 
tuition coupled with extraordinary executive ability. 
All that he did was regulated by system. The results 
were shown in the management of his own vast and 
complicated business and in the management of the 
campaigns for charity which made him famous. 

326 



THE MAN AND HIS METHODS 327 

Dr. Klopsch had faith in the goodness of human 
nature. He knew that the vast majority of people 
are ever ready to make sacrifices themselves in order 
to relieve suffering and to make the world better 
by their own individual effort. But he also realized 
that, with most people, it is difficult to translate 
these benevolent instincts into practical operation. 
What is needed is some one to show the way. Dr. 
Klopsch was the man who showed the way for those 
who were ready to do good. 

His idea of charity was of the simplest ele- 
mentary sort. It consisted of three things — to feed 
the hungry, to send or carry aid to the sick, and to 
spread the Gospel message everywhere. The record 
of his life-work, as given in the chapters of this 
book, show some of the deserving causes which 
enlisted him, and there were many others. He 
raised money for a large number of weak and strug- 
gling schools and churches, benevolent institutions 
and rescue missions; for evangelistic work; for the 
dissemination of the Gospel at home and abroad; 
for indigent homes for children and adults; for 
Gospel missions in the Cumberland Mountains and 
the Ozarks, and for a variety of other good causes. 

Dr. Klopsch knew that ordinary, conservative 
methods are not enough to meet great emergencies 
such as famines, and disasters such as earthquakes. 
With him, in these matters, to think was to act. 
He applied literally the French maxim, "Be bold, 
and evermore be bold," when the emergency arose. 
Usually he did not wait to have the funds in hand 
when the need was a pressing one. He would 



~ 1 iriiiiir I M 



328 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

prepare his appeal and then make a contribution in 
advance, oftentimes a very large sum, but always 
confident that The Christian Herald readers and the 
others to whom it was addressed would respond. 
His plan was to make known the situation which 
required succor; explain the needs so that contribu- 
tors to relief funds would know just what was asked 
of them; forward by cable the first remittance, and 
then begin the work of collection in a systematic 
way. 

In securing funds and in making known distress- 
ing situations, he adopted modern methods. He did 
not hesitate to advertise the distress which it was 
sought to relieve. The columns of The Christian 
Herald were filled with vivid descriptions. In other 
religious journals he placed advertisements. Many 
of these journals, lacking the means themselves 
of collecting and distributing funds, were glad to 
cooperate in this manner, knowing that with Dr. 
Klopsch in control, the philanthropic effort would 
not go amiss. He also, by means of circulars and 
leaflets, supplemented the newspaper appeals. 

When the stream of contributions was fairly 
started, more attention would be paid to distribu- 
tion. Dr. Klopsch, wherever possible, sought himself 
to see how the work went on. This was the motive 
of his personal visits during the famine periods to 
Russia, to Finland, India, Cuba, and Italy. Always 
he sought the cooperation of the missionaries, who 
were on the ground, and through them he reached 
the classes whom he knew that the contributors 
to The Christian Herald funds were most anxious to 



THE MAN AND HIS METHODS 329 

have reached. The aid of the government officials 
in Washington, and in the various countries where 
the distress existed, was always sought and given. 
Local relief committees and appropriate representa- 
tives of foreign governments were enlisted. The Red 
Cross Society of every country was recognized in his 
work. 

An explanation of the principle which governed 
the distribution was made in an editorial in answer 
to an inquiry received from a contributor, who wanted 
to know how much Dr. Klopsch would distribute 
while he was among the famine sufferers in Finland. 

"I will distribute no money at all," said the 
editorial. "No one connected with The Christian 
Herald ever undertakes the distribution of funds 
entrusted to his care for use in any benevolent or 
missionary field. In every instance — in Cuba, 
Russia, China, Porto Rico, Armenia and India, as 
well as now in Finland — the money is invariably 
administered by missionaries or by representative 
local resident committees under the supervision of a 
resident general or central committee which is charged 
with the relief of suffering. 

"Experience in humanitarian work in many lands 
has convinced The Christian Herald that the repu- 
table, intelligent, Christian residents of the country 
where such work is needed, and where relief monies 
are to be distributed, are far better qualified to ad- 
minister such a trust than any outsiders, resident 
in a distant country. They know the field and the 
people, and are familiar with their needs; conse- 
quently, they are in a position to conduct the dis- 



3S0 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

tribution of relief in a far more judicious and effective 
manner than could be possible for the management 
of The Christian Herald, located thousands of miles 
away." 

This principle was always adhered to, but either by 
his own visits or by sending special commissioners. 
Dr. Klopsch was able above all things to see that 
the distribution was properly attended to by the 
various agencies to which it was entrusted. 

In collecting funds, no sum was too small to be 
received and accounted for. It has been noted how 
often the dime and the quarter occur in the list of 
contributions, and of dollar contributions to the 
funds the totals run up into the hundreds of thou- 
sands. The strictest account was kept. Book- 
keeping methods were rigorously applied. Dr. 
Klopsch knew how often funds are apt to be wasted 
or lost through unwise methods, and he also knew 
how many persons there are with the very best of 
intentions, who have no conception of the necessity 
of strict business methods in everything that relates 
to charity and philanthropy. 

Following this idea, the receipt of funds would be 
acknowledged in The Christian Herald, the state in 
which the contributor lived being given, but not the 
residence, so that everyone could see his or her 
contribution placed on record. Then, when the 
time came for the fund to be closed, announcement 
would be made, and later would appear the detailed 
account of receipts and disbursements, certified by 
the public accountants who had audited them. 
Every item of expense of collection and of disburse- 



THE MAN AND HIS METHODS SSI 

ment would be given in detail, the total receipts, 
and the purpose for which they were applied. To 
Dr. Klopsch this was a sacred trust. As the columns 
of The Christian Herald through twenty years of his 
activities show audited statements of every dollar 
received and disbursed in the enormous charity 
campaigns which were conducted. Of more than 
$700,000 that went to India (exclusive of orphan 
support), there is a complete account, and also of 
the more than $600,000 to China, and the other 
famine and relief movements, which footed up over 
$3,000,000, which Dr. Klopsch collected and disbursed. 
The great movements are given fully, but the details 
are just as complete as for the minor ones. 

In all this work. Dr. Klopsch was in the most 
intimate relation with his subscribers and contribu- 
tors. His appeals to them were in the nature of a 
personal message. Each response he looked on as 
a personal message of confidence to himself. Hence 
it came that he had not only the confidence of 
Presidents McKinley, Roosevelt, Taft, and high 
oflficials at Washington, and was given marks of 
royal honor by the Czar of Russia, the Royal 
families of Denmark and Sweden, the King of Eng- 
land, and the King of Italy; but he earned the 
gratitude of millions whose sufferings were relieved 
and of hundreds of thousands who contributed to 
the relief of those sujfferings. 

The keen business insight, the native shrewdness, 
and the marvelous perceptive qualities of Dr. Klopsch 
were apparent in all his relief work. He saw almost 
at a glance the situations which were so often pre- 



382 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

sented to him and which others could resolve only 
with slowness. In five minutes he would look at a 
question from all points of view, would foresee the 
objections and difficulties, and determine whether 
they could be overcome. In as short a time he 
would decide whether the cause should be helped 
or not. Here his common sense came oftenest into 
play. Reports would come of distress in some 
quarter, with the appeal for relief before the nature 
and extent of the suffering was known. That would 
be put aside until more light could be had. Another 
time he would shake his head, and with a brief 
remark, ''an unworthy cause," would dismiss the 
case which was presented to him. Sometimes he 
would remark regretfully, "a good cause, but not 
in the right hands." 

An instance of Dr. Klopsch's quick perception as 
to difficulties was shown when Miss Ellen M. Stone, 
the missionary in Macedonia, was kidnapped by the 
brigands. Dr. Klopsch canvassed the whole situa- 
tion. He foresaw the objections which would be 
made, and not improperly, to raising the ransom 
fund. He realized that it might be made an instru- 
ment of blackmail, and he knew that many protests 
would go up against encouraging a relief measure 
of this kind. But he concluded quickly in his own 
mind that in spite of these drawbacks and of the 
possible consequences, a real emergency existed and 
it would be necessary in order to obtain the release 
of Miss Stone to raise the funds for the ransom. So 
within ten minutes the telephone in his office was 
working, messages were speeding over the country, 



THE MAN AND HIS METHODS SS3 

and The Christian Herald fund was started for the 
ransom of Miss Stone. 

In other cases, his perception of distress that 
would grow into great proportions was instantaneous. 
One morning the newspapers contained dispatches 
intimating that a famine in a far-away land was 
worse than the previous accounts had stated, was 
spreading, and that the government of the country 
itself might require foreign aid. That morning, in 
Washington, the writer was walking across Lafayette 
Park when a cabinet member joined him. I had 
on previous occasions sought and secured on behalf 
of Dr. Klopsch the cooperation of this official. He 
had been reading the newspaper dispatches. He 
remarked, ''It looks as though we will have to turn 
in and help those poor people. I suppose I will find 
a message from Dr. Klopsch when I reach my office. 
Have you heard from him?" 

Yes, I had heard from him. Dr. Klopsch had 
read the paper at his early cup of coffee, and at my 
own breakfast I had got a long-distance telephone 
message asking me to go to the White House and 
solicit the cooperation of the President in the relief 
movement which he proposed to start. The cabinet 
member, when he reached his office, was not disap- 
pointed. There was a message from Dr. Klopsch 
saying the emergency was great and that he wanted 
to transmit $10,000 by cable through the State De- 
partment to our Consul at the seat of suffering. This 
famine did grow and became appalling. 

Many illustrations of Dr. Klopsch's quickness of 
perception and action are given by those who were 



334 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

associated with him in his editorial and other work. 
Mr. Sandison (who was his associate for over twenty 
years), writing on this subject, says: 

"An urgent appeal would be made by missionaries 
in some remote country for help in an emergency. 
Such a case would usually require much thought and 
investigation before any step could be taken. Dr. 
Klopsch would turn to the telephone, call up the 
State Department in Washington, or get into com- 
munication with the ambassador, or cable direct to 
the American Minister or Consul-General represent- 
ing the United States in the country in question, 
and would soon be in possession of the essential 
facts, which would convince him that the cause was 
good and the appeal justified. He would discuss 
with his associates the amount of relief to be sent, 
and their counsel would usually be for some moderate 
sum, but Dr. Klopsch knew his readers better than 
any other man, and he did nothing by halves. He 
would cable in such cases a remittance for ten or 
twenty thousand dollars, with the utmost confidence 
that the cause would not only prove worthy of such 
substantial help, but that it was one that would 
appeal to the sympathy of his constituency. In 
such emergencies, his intuition and judgment never 
failed, and his confidence in his readers was abun- 
dantly justified. He would simply lay such cases 
before his readers in plain, unvarnished language, 
stating that he already had advanced such an amount, 
and inviting their cooperation. And forthwith the 
contributions would come rolling in, increasing in vol- 
ume by every mail. They knew him and trusted him. 



THE MAN AND HIS METHODS 335 

"It was a favorite saying of his that he Hked to 
go ahead on faith. What to other men might have 
seemed hke plunging, was to him an exercise of 
supreme faith in God's blessing resting on all he 
did. I have seen him on faith send $25,000 as an 
Easter Offering to stricken India; on faith he sent 
out sums aggregating many thousands of dollars, 
often before he had received a dollar by way of 
contribution to the particular cause he was assisting. 
His faith was manifested in a courage which per- 
mitted him to throw out afar his golden line of help, 
as Douglas flung out the casket which contained the 
heart of Bruce into the midst of the foe. 

*'A striking illustration of the quickness of his 
actions in such matters occurred in the Cuban 
relief work among the reconcentrados. In conjunc- 
tion with other members of the committee appointed 
by President McKinley, he had made many ship- 
ments of food and clothing by the regular ship lines, 
but somehow things did not go to his liking down 
in Havana. The centers of suffering were not being 
reached. One morning he left New York and four 
days later he was in Cuba's capital. It was as he 
had feared. The relief goods were piling up in 
warehouses, and the distribution was woefully slow 
and ineffective. Dr. Klopsch took a carriage and 
did some record driving in Havana that day. He 
visited scores of Spanish oflScials, and his earnest 
masterful way and the simple appeal he made for 
the reconcentrados in the name of humanity carried 
the day. The Spanish officials were won over, and 
within twenty-four hours after his arrival, railroad 



336 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

trains were speeding from Havana in the direction 
of the suffering districts in the outlying provinces. 

"Another illustration was during the India famine. 
He went out there, and against the protests of the 
missionaries, he personally visited several of the 
fever camps. There was food and medicine, yet 
the people were dying. He saw them lying weak and 
emaciated on the bare soil. At one of the missions, 
he got into telegraphic communication with a blanket 
manufactory, and several of the camps were sur- 
prised the next day to find a large consignment of 
native blankets, which were of great benefit and com- 
fort to the sick. He had ordered thirty thousand blan- 
kets at a breakdown price, and said he could have 
readily used as many more, but could not get them. 
That quick decision made life easier for thousands of 
sufferers, and no doubt helped many to recover. 

"These are evidences of the broad sympathy and 
the grasp of an organizing mind in relief and rescue 
work. But there were other traits which showed his 
extraordinary qualities of mind in their application 
to his own business affairs and the great evangelical 
newspaper which he built up. His active brain 
could not rest. He used to say that much of his 
planning was done at home and in the five-minute 
walk to and from his apartments to his office. But 
in everything he was systematic. 

"Dr. Klopsch had a mind, which, if his bent had 
taken a little different turn, might have led him to 
become a mathematician of no mean distinction. 
He thought in figures. A source of continued 
amazement to his acquaintances was the rapidity 




DR. GEO. H. SANDISON, EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN HERALD 

For Twenty Years Associate of Dr. Klopsch 



THE MAN AND HIS METHODS S37 

with which he could mentally compute the cost of 
material and production, the cost of advertising 
and other details of a great publishing business. 
No matter how intricate the business problem, he 
was equal to it almost without resort to paper and 
pencil. It was his invariable custom to carry a 
little memorandum book in the upper pocket of his 
vest, which was to him an epitome of his entire 
business. By reference to it, he could instantly 
compare the conditions of one year, one week, one 
day, with that of the preceding year at the same 
season. He was a man of many problems, yet their 
number did not trouble him. At a single sitting he 
would sometimes discuss half a dozen different ques- 
tions and reach a satisfactory conclusion in each 
case. He had an intuition which led him to do the 
right thing at the right moment. 

"His was an electric personality. It permeated 
and stimulated all his surroundings. His good nature 
was infinite, and he could enjoy a joke in the midst 
of the most pressing affairs. He himself radiated 
cheerfulness. His comment was sometimes humor- 
ous, always incisive and always kindly, but it never 
missed the point." 

An hour in Dr. Klopsch's inner office at The Chris- 
tian Herald was a revelation to those who had not 
previously known his extraordinary capacity. A 
mass of correspondence would be before him, some 
relating to technical matters of the publishing busi- 
ness, some to its purely financial aspect, and much 
more to various philanthropic and charitable works. 
He would dictate letter after letter in answer, com- 



338 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

menting between times on other subjects. Then 
there would be the telephone calls, sometimes long- 
distance and sometimes from within New York 
City. These he always managed, as he would say, 
with his ear to the telephone, and his eye to the big 
table on which was spread out his business. 

A stream of visitors would be waiting in the outer 
office. Almost any day there would be a mission- 
ary from some distant land, or a foreign philanthro- 
pist who wanted to learn practical lessons from this 
great master of practical philanthropy. Frequently 
there would be a high Washington official, or a for- 
eign diplomat sandwiched in between some of the 
Bowery Mission workers, or the caretakers from 
Mont-Lawn. Almost certainly there would be a 
country pastor from some poor struggling church 
which wanted a little help, that would be given along 
with very sound advice. Sometimes there would be 
a distinguished army officer, such as General O. O. 
Howard, or a naval commander, such as Admiral 
Sigsbee. The door would open to admit one or two 
visitors, and a cheery call would come from Dr. 
Klopsch to the others begging them to wait just a 
moment longer. 

No one was too lowly to be given the privilege of 
a hearing. Once Dr. Klopsch asked me to excuse 
him from talking until he had spoken to a man 
whose presence I had not noticed on entering the 
office. The man had a haunted look which told 
his story. I knew in an instant that he was an 
ex-convict. He whispered his fears to Dr. Klopsch, 
who spoke out strongly and clearly: 



THE MAN AND HIS METHODS 339 

''Nonsense, man, you have nothing to be afraid 
of. The poKce are not following you. If you think 
they are, walk right up to them and tell them who 
you are. They want you to get work and to lead 
an honest life, just as much as I do. Now, your 
room rent in Hoboken is paid for a month. Your 
breakfast is provided, and here's something for 
dinner to-day. But don't be afraid to go out again 
and ask work. I told you nobody is going to molest 
you. I believe in you and others believe in you." 

The man straightened up at once and left the 
office with a firm step, his fears dispelled. How 
many times the same thing happened, others who 
were oftener in the private office can perhaps tell, 
but I knew that this was not a single instance. 

In his relations with his associates and employees, 
no man could be more kindly or considerate than 
Dr. Klopsch. Any negligence on their part pained 
him, and when he spoke of it, it was always with 
regret. Actual wrong doing distressed him almost 
beyond expression. Once a girl employee had been 
brought to him under some accusation. It was a 
serious case. The proof lay in his hands. A great 
wave of sorrow for the girl rose within him. He 
attempted to speak to her reproachfully, and even 
with severity, but the effort failed. His eyes and 
throat seemed to fill simultaneously, and he passed 
over the task to a subordinate, saying huskily, 
"You deal with her; I can't; but remember, don't do 
anything that will hurt her rather than help," and 
this was his invariable attitude towards those who 
offended against the law or morals. He believed 



340 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

that the best course was to help reform the offender 
by kindness, rather than utterly to condemn and 
send the guilty one beyond all hope of reformation. 

The impression made by Dr. Klopsch on his 
visitor who saw him for the first time was always 
a deep one. Writing of a visit to him, William 
Durban, in an article in the British Workman^ gave 
his impressions as follows: 

"There are a few persons whom I never fail to 
call upon whenever I find myself in the United States. 
These are amongst the most prominent American 
friends of humanity, and one of the most conspicuous 
is Dr. Louis Klopsch, noted for his world-wide travels, 
his indefatigable philanthropy, his great success as 
a journalist, and his generosity to the slum children 
of the vast tenement regions of New York. Dr. 
Klopsch is an extraordinary personality. He is full 
of vivacity, is all day long occupied at his oflSce 
in receiving and answering telephone messages 
from all parts of his country, with telegrams and 
letters from every land on earth, yet he is ever 
cordially willing to talk with a visitor from England 
over the great and useful schemes dear to his heart, 
because they contribute to the uplifting of those 
who need help anywhere in the world." 

After describing an interview with Dr. Klopsch, 
in which some of the relief work was enumerated, 
Mr. Durban continued: 

**I certainly felt that this was a wonderful enumera- 
tion of good works attempted and achieved by a 
single agency brought to bear on the kindhearted- 
ness of the people of America, but I well knew that 



THE MAN AND HIS METHODS S4l 

there was one particular direction in which the 
humanitarian enthusiasm of Dr. Klopsch had always 
been applied with extreme delight. Asking him 
what was his favorite work, I received the reply 
which I looked for: 

"*I take much pleasure in working amongst poor 
children. I have for many years been a constant 
Sunday School teacher, so that I have not neglected 
the good ordinary means of reaching young minds 
of different classes. But after all, what is always 
supremely needed is effort for the poor little neglected 
boys and girls who swarm in the congested blocks, 
the terrible tenement quarters into which every year 
fresh multitudes of poor immigrants rush from the 
old world to our American shores.'" 

A description of the work at Mont-Lawn then 
followed. 

A Hindu journalist, Mr. Saint Nihl Singh, in an 
account of Dr. Klopsch as an almoner of nations 
in distress, gave a very vivid picture of his work. 
Wrote this journalist from far-off India in most 
perfect English: 

"If you have millions at your command, and you 
are so inclined, you can easily be a philanthropist. 
But if you are lacking millions, and yet your heart 
is burning with a desire to relieve distress, to uplift 
the depressed, how would you go to work and raise 
the funds to accomplish your great humanitarian 
tasks that call for stupendous amounts of money .'^ 

"You may be interested in the story of a man — 
Louis Klopsch, of New York, United States of 
America, who was reared in poverty, who battled 



342 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

hard with adverse circumstances in his struggle to 
get on in hfe, but who withal has done such mar- 
velous feats of philanthropy as to more than earn 
the soubriquet of an almoner of nations in distress. 
Even to-day he is not a wealthy man, as wealthy 
men go in America, but he has been instrumental 
in distributing upwards of $3,000,000 in sixteen 
years to relieve acute want in various parts of the 
world. This amount has been made up of the little 
sums contributed by you and me, and the man has 
shown an extraordinary genius in first inspiring 
the people to loosen their purse-strings, and then 
making the most of their offerings. Herein lies 
the specific value of Mr. Klopsch's example to the 
would-be philanthropist who has the ambition to 
help others, but not the millions wherewith to trans- 
late his desire into action. 

"The career of Mr. Klopsch is inspiring inasmuch 
as it shows how a poor boy with little schooling, 
and without external help, has overcome all diffi- 
culties. The average self-made man when he reaches 
the pinnacle of his ambition, grows glum and self- 
satisfied. In his materialism he usually forgets his 
attitude to his less fortunate fellow-beings. Not 
so with Mr. Klopsch. He looks upon prosperity 
merely as a means calculated to place him in a 
position to better serve mankind. While he is a 
hard-sensed business man, intensely practical, and 
extremely shrewd, his heart is full of love and con- 
cern for suffering humanity. Out of his hard-earned 
money, he gives freely to the cause of bettering the 
condition of the luckless people who have not been 



1 



THE MAN AND HIS METHODS 343 

given a fair show in life. Better still, he devotes 
the better portion of his time and vitality to per- 
suading others to unite with him in his noble efforts. 
Being a practical man of business, he sees to it that 
he neither gives *not wisely but too well,' nor that 
red tape in charity shall distress the already dis- 
tressed. He is accomplishing a great work, and while 
honored by kings and presidents, remains as unas- 
suming as when he served as an office boy." 

Dr. Klopsch, though he did not often appear on 
the platform, was a very ready speaker. His talks 
were straightforward and went directly to the point. 
He was at his best in addressing children. It was 
this probably which caused him to take so deep an 
interest all his life in Sunday School work. While 
still a young man, he engaged in church labor and 
this continued throughout his life. It has been 
mentioned that he conducted the Brooklyn Taber- 
nacle Sunday School work for a number of years, 
during Dr. Talmage's pastorate. He was Sunday 
School superintendent of the Bedford Street Metho- 
dist Episcopal church in New York City, and for 
several years he conducted the largest Sunday School 
in America at the great Ocean Grove Methodist 
Episcopal Camp Meeting with remarkable success. 

His father-in-law, the Rev. Stephen Merritt, in 
some reminiscences of Dr. Klopsch, gives this story 
of the Sunday School activities: 

"He took hold of the Sunday School and soon 
made it the sweetest, strongest and best Sunday 
School in the land. His love for children was 
phenomenal. Perhaps there wasn't a flower that 



•'^. 



344 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

grew in the Fifth Ward, where the Sunday School 
was located; and there was not a sick child in the 
ward but every day it had flowers sent to its home 
to cheer its heart. He knew all the families and 
was acquainted with all the children, irrespective of 
denomination, and he was an angel among them. 
We bought a wagonette, and every Saturday he 
took a party of children to Central Park with their 
teachers, where he supplied all their needs, and in 
the afternoon was one among them. He loved child- 
hood, and childhood more than worshipped him. 
Wherever the children met him, in the streets, or 
at their homes, or in the Sunday School, they climbed 
upon him, and hung on his neck, and loved and 
cried with joy. He had the heart of a boy and main- 
tained it till his death." 



CHAPTER XIX 

A FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP 

THE SECRET OF A SUCCESSFUL LIFE — REVIEW OF THE MANY GOOD CAUSES AIDED 
BY DR. KLOPSCH NUMEROUS FIELDS OF CHRISTIAN HELPFULNESS SUMMAR- 
IZED — WIDE FIELD OF PHILANTHROPIC AND CHARITABLE LABORS — HOME 

AND FOREIGN MISSIONS MISCELLANEOUS RELIEF MOVEMENTS HOW THE 

FUNDS WERE COLLECTED AND DISBURSED ACCOUNTANTS' CERTIFICATES 

WONDERFUL FINANCIAL SHOWING. 

WHAT was the secret of Dr. Klopsch's 
remarkable success in his own peculiar 
field? Early in his career, he came in 
contact with a few men who held to the great prin- 
ciple that all wealth is a stewardship, and that a 
business which has not God in it cannot bring 
enduring success or satisfaction. He saw that men 
"sowed beside all waters"; that they honored their 
Maker with their increase; and that in a quiet and 
unostentatious way they did what good they could 
to their fellowmen. 

Louis Klopsch did nothing by halves [writes one 
of his long time editorial associates]. He believed, 
with all the strength of his forceful nature, that the 
Lord prospers every really good work that is under- 
taken for His sake, and with no purpose of personal 
gain. And so, staking everything upon the issue — 
his time, his talent, and his means — he resolved that, 
throughout his whole life thereafter, he would " Trust 
in God and take courage,'' He simply took the Lord 

345 



346 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

at His word and went ahead, to the utmost extent 
of his ability, with every legitimate enterprise on 
which he entered, whether it was the closing of a 
contract, the purchase of a new press, the publica- 
tion of a set of books, the opening of some great 
relief work, the liquidation of a mission debt, the 
financing of an evangelistic campaign, or any busi- 
ness matter whatsoever. To him, God was partner, 
counselor, banker. He never left his office at the 
close of business until, before he stepped from his 
room, he had prayed that the efforts of the day 
might be blessed to God's glory and the benefit of 
his fellowmen. 

And so, keeping in constant touch with the Divine 
Source of all power and blessing, he found the 
master-key which opened to him a thousand doors 
leading to honorable service. He realized that no 
one can live unto himself; that to take up the cross 
of the Master means to live for others. He found, 
too, beyond all doubting, that the Lord takes care 
of His own work in His own way, not always or often 
according to our expectation; and he learned patience 
in waiting for the wondrous unfolding of God's 
plans. He saw how "all things work together for 
good to them that love the Lord," and he marveled 
at the Divine wisdom in the direction of the great 
missionary and benevolent enterprises he was led to 
undertake. Ways opened up where there seemed 
to be nothing but unsurmountable difficulties ; power- 
ful friends came to his aid uninvited; famous mis- 
sionaries, whose names the whole Christian world 
reverenced, formed themselves into Committees to 



A FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP 847 

carry forward his projects; three successive American 
Presidents publicly approved his work; governments 
and rulers of mighty nations were his voluntary 
allies. And God's people in our own land and else- 
where — though few of them had ever seen him — 
gave him their loving confidence, loaded him with 
their offerings, and made him their modern "Knight 
of Mercy" to the world's poor. And while he won- 
dered at it all, he prayed the more and worked the 
harder, and took courage! 

Such was the secret of Dr. Klopsch's success. He 
literally lived for others. At whatsoever task he set 
his hand, he worked with all his might, leaving 
results wholly to Him who alone gives the harvest. 
"If I do my share," he would often remark, "I never 
trouble about the rest. That is God's aflfair, not 
mine." 

The vast scope of Dr. Klopsch's philanthropic 
and charitable activities and his evangelical creed has 
been shown in the account given of some of the more 
notable ones in the preceding chapters. These, how- 
ever, do not convey a complete idea of the extent 
of his humanitarian work. Perhaps a better way to 
exhibit the numerous fields in which his talents were 
exerted for the benefit of his fellowmen is to recapit- 
ulate them. 

How faithfully the stewardship was carried out 
and how the funds collected were applied, may also 
be shown by the detailed financial statements as 
made up and certified by the accountants who from 
time to time audited the accounts. It is a story of 
the successful financing of some of the greatest relief 



S48 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

movements of the present age as well as of the 
support extended to smaller ones. 

The history of the various good causes aided is set 
forth in the following succinct summary, which is 
presented in alphabetical form: 

Adana Relief Work. This fund was raised in response to an 
appeal from the American missionaries after the frightful 
massacre of Armenians and Mesopotamians by fanatical 
Moslem tribesmen. Rev. Mr. Trowbridge and a committee 
of missionaries conducted the relief at several centers, and 
were assisted by representatives of the French, English, Ger- 
man, and American governments. Thousands were succored. 
Tents, hospitals, and food supplies were provided. 

African Child Redemption Fund. This is a fund through 
which missionaries are enabled to secure the consent of 
heathen parents and guardians to their children being trained 
under mission auspices. Hundreds of African children have 
been educated and trained, and many are now working as 
missionaries among their own people. 

American Bible Society. This fund extended over several 
years and was for the purpose of providing Bible distribution 
at remote missionary points in different countries. 

American Tract Society. This fund also extended over 
several years and was applied in Gospel work in the United 
States and territories. 

Any Good Cause Fund. This is a general fund, supplied by 
readers of The Christian Herald for giving immediate assist- 
ance and rehef in urgent cases of need, not in New York 
alone, but throughout the country. It is almost exclu- 
sively confined to cases of physical suffering from sickness, 
hunger, or homelessness. There have been thousands of 
beneficiaries during the last fifteen years. 

Armenian Relief Fund. This was raised by The Christian 
Herald immediately after the great massacres of 1896. 
Thousands of lives were saved and great suffering averted. 
The Fund also aided many Armenian exiles who arrived 
destitute in this country. 

Beals, Rev. Z. Charles, head of the Christian Mission at 
Wuhu, China, on the Yang-tse River — a very busy mission- 



A FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP 349 

ary section amid a vast heathen population. Mr. Beals has 
a number of workers under him, and his mission field is a 
large one. Dr. Klopsch secured many friends for the support 
of this work. 



Is 

^m Bowery Mission. This is the oldest spiritual mission for men 

^B in the United States. Through Dr. Klopsch's efforts, it 

^B was saved from dissolution some eighteen years ago. He 

^B raised friends for it in many states, and to their gifts he 

■P added many of his own. During the last year of his life, 

he practically rebuilt the mission house at 227 Bowery. 

Bowery Mission converts are found in every part of the world, 

and many other spiritual missions have sprung from its 

loins. 

Bread-line, The, New York. For twelve years, Dr. Klopsch 
raised or supplied funds for the support of the * 'Bread-line," 
which every winter feeds 1,200 to 1,800 men and boys nightly 
in connection with the Bowery Mission. It still continues. 

Brownsville and Williamsburg Christian Mission to the 
Jews. Rev. Adolf Cohn, a converted rabbi, is the head of 
this mission, which is the largest one of its kind in^the United 
States and doing a very excellent work. 

Charity Subscriptions to "The Christian Herald." This 
represents subscriptions at a reduced rate, sent in by a num- 
ber of readers who wish to supply the paper to jails, refor- 
matories, hospitals, almshouses, and similar institutions. 

China Famine Fund. There were two great famines in China, 
one in the ancient provinces of Shensi and Shansi, from 
1901-06, and another in the provinces along the Grand 
Canal, from 1906-08. Large contributions were raised by 
Christian Herald readers to relieve the suffering in both 
of these famines. The first fund was controlled and dis- 
tributed by a missionary committee at Tientsin, of which 
Rev. Arthur J. Smith was chairman, and the second by a 
missionary and civic joint committee at Shanghai. During 
the second famine, the United States Government placed 
at the service of Dr. Klopsch two troop ships, the Buford 
and the Logan, to convey the food supplies contributed by 
Christian Herald readers to Shanghai. 

China Orphan Fund. This fund came into operation at the 
close of the last great famine in China, some years ago, 
when thousands of orphans were thrown upon the charity 
of the Christian missionaries. Dr. Klopsch secured indi- 



350 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

vidual support of a large number of his readers for some two 
thousand of these orphans for a period of years, and a number 
of orphans are still being maintained. 

"Cheistian Herald" Aged Invalid's Chair. A small fund 
raised for the benefit of an octogenarian Christian widow. 
An invalid wheel-chair was procured and the balance applied 
to her support for over a year, until the fund was exhausted. 

Christian Herald Children's Home. Dr. Klopsch founded 
this home at Mont-Lawn, and enlisted the support of patrons 
throughout the country, who have contributed yearly to 
it ever since. It is incorporated. It is situated at Mont- 
Lawn, near Nyack-on-the-Hudson. Forty thousand children 
of the New York tenements have been sheltered there since 
the home first opened. 

"Christian Herald" Gospel Hall. One of our American 
missionaries in India, in recognition of help during the great 
India famine, named a mission hall after Dr. Klopsch's paper, 
and a few readers sent in small contributions in aid of this 
work. 

Cremorne Mission. For a number of years, this well-known 
New York rescue mission for unfortunate women has been 
assisted by voluntary contributions through The Christian 
Herald. 

Cuban Relief Work. This was undertaken immediately 
before the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, and 
through it many thousands of starving reconcentrados were 
relieved. 

Door of Hope. This is the parent rescue mission founded by 
Mrs. Whittemore, and it has been the mother of some sixty 
"Doors of Hope" throughout the country. Dr. Klopsch's 
readers have sent offerings for it for many years. 

Finland Relief Work. This was carried on during the wide- 
spread famine in 1903, following three years of drought. It 
extended to Lapland and Sweden. 

Five Points' Mission. Voluntary contributions for its sup- 
port have been sent through The Christian Herald for a num- 
ber of years. 

Foreign Missions. A very large proportion of Dr. Klopsch's 
readers were directly interested in foreign missionary work, 
and many of them are now individually supporting white 
and native missionaries in various fields. These contribu- 



A FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP 351 

tions have extended over nearly twenty years and represent 
mission work in India, China, Africa, Tibet, Korea, Asiatic 
Russia, Armenia, Palestine, Arabia, Persia, Turkey, Labra- 
dor, South America, Japan, and other foreign fields. 

Grenfell, Dr. Wilfred. The celebrated author, explorer, and 
founder of the Labrador Mission. Voluntary! offerings for 
the support of his work have been sent to The Christian 
Herald for many years. 

Home Missions. Funds for a number of home missions, de- 
nominational and otherwise, were voluntarily contributed 
during a period of over more than fifteen years. This repre- 
sents missions among the Indians in the West and Southwest 
and along the border; missions in Alaska; missionary work 
in the American Sunday School Union in new sections, etc. 

India Famine Fund. India, like China, has had several fam- 
ines. Between the years 1897 and 1901, a large relief fund 
was raised through Dr. Klopsch's efforts for these famines, 
the distribution of which was under the control of an 
interdenominational missionary committee, representing all 
the mission centers of India, Bishop J. M. Thoburn being 
chairman. Many thousands of lives were saved by this excel- 
lent work. Dr. Klopsch visited India during the latter part 
of the famine and personally inspected the relief measures 
adopted by the missionaries and their helpers. To a large 
extent, the missionary work in the early part of the famine 
was done in cooperation with the Viceroy's committee. 
At over sixty relief centers Christian Herald food supplies, 
blankets, etc., were given to the sufferers at regular periods. 
This was the greatest of all the foreign charities in which 
Dr. Klopsch engaged. 

India Orphan Work. This represents a branch of the largest 
single charitable operation ever undertaken by The Christian 
Herald. During the two great India famines, Dr. Klopsch 
appealed for funds for the sufferers and sent all offerings to 
an interdenominational missionary committee, with head- 
quarters at Calcutta and Bombay. When the famine ceased 
there were tens of thousands of orphans to care for. He 
raised money for over five thousand of these helpless orphans 
from individual patrons in the United States, and continued 
this support for several years. This orphan fund has now 
only a few hundred proteges, and will shortly complete its 
work. 



S5^ LIFE-WOHK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Invalid Children's Homes. This represents voluntary contri- 
butions to homes for cripples, deaf-mutes, and other invalids 
in several states, and covers a period of many years. 

Italian Earthquake Fund, raised during the earthquake dis- 
aster in that country several years ago, and distributed 
partly through the American Red Cross, but more largely 
under the personal supervision of Queen Helena, who organ- 
ized a ''Mothers' and Babies' Fund" which was exclusively 
supported by The Christian Herald during an entire summer. 

Janssen, Rev. F. W. Mr. Janssen is an American missionary 
at Cebu, Philippine Islands, with a very large parish, which 
includes over one hundred islands. The readers of The 
Christian Herald supplied him with a mission boat for his 
work, and with pecuniary help at various times, during the 
last seven or eight years. 

Japan Famine Fund. This fund was raised by The Christian 
Herald for the relief of the population of the northern prov- 
inces of Japan in 1906, where famine had followed successive 
crop failures. The work was conducted in conjunction with 
the American missionaries, and with the Japanese Red Cross. 

Japan Orphan Fund. This work was undertaken after the 
Japanese famine work had closed, and is comparatively 
small. These orphans of the Japanese famine are housed 
in two large orphanages at Okayama and Sendai, and are 
managed by regular committees. 

Jerry McAuley Mission. Dr. Klopsch's readers have been 
interested for many years in the old Water Street Mission 
and have sent voluntary contributions for its support for 
years, through his paper. 

Leper Colony. This colony is located at Surinam, Dutch 
Guiana, South America, where it was founded several years 
ago by the Rev. Henry Weiss. Dr. Klopsch's readers took 
a great deal of interest in it and helped it for a number of 
years. 

Lepers at Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Leper Mission is one 
of the best charities in the Holy City and contributions sent 
through The Christian Herald have been entrusted to the 
various iimerican Consuls at Jerusalem, who have seen that 
they were properly applied. 

Mardin Relief Work. Mardin is in Mesopotamia, and 
although a considerable distance from Adana, where the 
chief massacres took place several years ago,-it also suffered, 



** A'^ 






^'%% 



^^ I 



^^€i 









Pi Z 
<1 o 

5^ 




A FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP 353 

and contributions were distributed through an official mis- 
sionary committee at Beirut. 

Mayesville Industrial Institute. The foundation of this 
work was largely due to the help extended by Christian 
Herald readers. It is a training school for poor negro boys 
and girls, and has been in operation for nearly ten years 
past. It has been called the '* second Tuskegee." 

Mexican Flood Sufferers. This fund was raised by popular 
voluntary subscription through The Christian Herald, for the 
sufferers in Monterey province, Mexico, and was distributed 
by U. S. Consul Gen. Hanna, with the assistance of Ameri- 
can missionaries and native officials. It did excellent work. 

Mine Disaster. This represents contributions sent in by 
Dr. Klopsch's readers immediately after the Cherryville 
Mine explosion. 

Missionary Substitutes. Over one hundred native mis- 
sionary evangelists, Bible women, local pastors, etc., are 
supported direct by individual patrons in the United States, 
such patrons being readers of The Christian Herald, Their 
contributions for such support are sent quarterly, without 
diminution. All these substitute missionaries are under 
the authority of white missionaries. 

Mojave Indians. This represents voluntary contributions in 
aid of Gospel propagation among these Indians in New 
Mexico. 

Orphan Babies' Home. This represents voluntary contribu- 
tions for child orphans in St. Johnland, N. Y., an unde- 
nominational work of long standing. 

Paris Flood Sufferers. These contributions were sent in 
during the floods in Paris, some time ago. The amount is 
small, but larger effort was not needed. 

Perkins, Rev. and Mrs. John. These are missionaries in 
Liberia, West Africa, who are doing a very fine missionary 
work among the native heathen, on undenominational lines. 

Prison Gate Mission. This mission, started several years 
ago, has received occasional support from Dr. Klopsch's 
readers ever since its inception. The money was applied 
by the prison chaplain, working under a committee, in 
behalf of discharged convicts who needed help in obtaining 
work, etc. 

PuNDiTA Ramabai, the famous native India missionary woman, 
whose spiritual and industrial work at Poona has attracted 
wide-spread attention. Dr. Klopsch met her while in India, 



354 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

and commended her work to his readers, who have helped 
her for several years past. 

Relief Work among the Poor in New York City. These 
operations covered a period of many years, and included 
assistance rendered to hundreds of families, widows, the sick, 
the afflicted, and the homeless — people who were outside 
of the usual channels of organized help. 

Richards, Rev. E. H. M. E. missionary, of Inhambane, East 
Africa. Mr. Richards for the last twelve years has con- 
ducted a fine mission work among the natives of Zambesia, 
and his efforts have enlisted the support of a number of 
Christian Herald readers. 

ScHMiTT, Rev. Christian, a devoted missionary of Nain, Lab- 
rador, one of the most northerly mission points on the globe. 
His excellent work has interested Dr. Klopsch's readers for 
several years past. 

Shiloh Orphanage of Augusta, Ga. On a special appeal 
for this worthy work a few contributions were sent in during 
two or three successive seasons. 

Society of Soul Winners. This is an active mountain mis- 
sionary organization, established by Rev. E. O. Guerrant 
of Wilmore, Ky., among the hills and valleys of the Cumber- 
lands. He has some eighty workers in that neglected region, 
who have been helped during ten years by the readers of 
The Christian Herald. 

Spanish Gospel Fund. Dr. Klopsch printed and circulated 
many hundred thousands of Gospels in the Spanish language. 
He began this work during the Spanish-American War, dis- 
tributing Gospels in the American camps and afterwards 
among the Cubans, when the war was ended. 

Steele Orphanage. This work was established twelve or four- 
teen years ago by Mrs. Almira S. Steele, at Chattanooga, 
among the poor colored waifs, and is a very successful and 
excellent one. Dr. Klopsch's readers have helped it through 
all these years. 

Sunshine Home for Blind Babies. This very beautiful work 
was established by Mrs. Cynthia Westover Alden, in con- 
nection with the International Sunshine Society, and has 
been very popular among The Christian Herald readers for 
the last eight or ten years, who have given something towards 
its support every year. 

Volunteers of America, Maude Ballington Booth's organi- 
zation. This prison and charity work being commended 



A FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP 355 

to The Christian Herald readers, some of them have helped 
it annually. 
Western Farmers' Relief Fund. This was a fund raised 
for the relief of the farmers of Colorado, Dakota, Kansas, 
and Nebraska, during the terrible drought of 1895. Train 
loads of supplies were sent and distributed, and Dr. Klopsch 
personally visited several states, working in conjunction 
with the Government Relief Commission, of which the Hon. 
Mr. Ludden was Chairman. 
White Door Mission. A rescue work for women in New 
York, of which Mrs. Margaret Sangster is a patroness. Dr. 
Klopsch has helped it for many years. 

Besides the foregoing, there was a considerable Hst of minor 
charities in which Dr. Klopsch took a personal interest, and 
to which he not only contributed, but induced his readers to 
give their support. These include: The Daisy Field Home, 
Englewood, N. J.; Judson Memorial Church, New York; Ten- 
nesseetown Mission, Topeka, Kan. ; White Rose Home, N. Y. ; 
Miss Mattie Perry's Mission, Elhanan, N. C; China Inland 
Mission, Toronto, Can.; National Bible Institute, N. Y.; Sick 
Babies' Fund, Edgewater, Creche; Pacific Garden Mission, 
Chicago; People's Settlement, Fox, N. Y.; Sunday Morning 
Breakfast Ass'n, Philadelphia; Bethel Mission; China Lepers; 
(Hinghua) Work among Canadian Indians; Finnish Seamen's 
Mission; Finnish Mission Ass'n; Lepers in India; Red Cross 
Society; Kessab Schools (Syria); Taylor University, Men- 
nonite Mission, Turkey; Hope Farm Protectory; Lincoln Uni- 
versity; Dean Peck Children's Home; Mrs. Bird's Christmas 
tree for the East Side, New York; Poor Children's Home Find- 
ing Society; Moody Bible Institute; Armenian Orphans, etc. 
There were many minor charities, individual cases of relief, 
contributions to worthy causes, assistance rendered to weak 
churches and missions, temporary help extended to missionaries 
and pastors, donations to needy communities where storm, or 
epidemic, or fire had caused distress — these and many other 
similar cases would swell the list considerably. 

SUMMARY OF DR. KLOPSCH'S PRINCIPAL 
CHARITIES: 

Years Work Expended 

1909-1910 Adana Relief Work, Mesopotamia . . $13,524.05 

1900-1910 American Bible Society 495.66 

1900-1910 American Tract Society 252.30 



356 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Years Work Expended 
1906-1910 Rev. Z. Chas. Beals, Missionary,China $287.36 
1907-1910 Brownsville and Williamsburg Chris- 
tian Mission to the Jews 58.37 

1902-1910 Charity Subscriptions 120.75 

1902-1910 China Orphan Fund 42,449.23 

1909-1910 Aged Invalid's Fund 103.29 

1909-1910 Christian Herald Gospel Hall, India . . 16.00 

1900-1910 Cremorne Mission, New York 259.04 

1896-1910 Door of Hope, New York 803.07 

1901-1910 Five Points' Mission, New York .... 254.20 

1896-1910 Foreign Missions, General 14,975.33 

1903-1910 Dr. W. Grenfell, Labrador Mission. . 420.02 

1897-1910 Home Missions, General 470.06 

1897-1910 India Orphan General Fund 557,786.92 

1903-1910 Invalid Children's Home 905.82 

1908-1909 Italian Earthquake Fund 71,799.98 

1909-1910 Japan Orphan Fund 4,168.12 

1902-1910 Leper Colony, Surinam, D. W. I. ... 1,027.26 

1902-1910 Leper Colony, Jerusalem 86.25 

1909 Rev. Dr. John MacDougall 10.00 

1906-1909 Mayesville Institute (Colored), S. C. . 4,953.78 

1897-1910 Jerry McAuley's Mission 1,229.00 

1909-1910 Mexican Flood Sufferers 8.350.60 

1909-1910 Mine Disaster (Cherryville) 43.85 

1910 Mojave Indians 1.00 

1907-1910 Okayama Orphanage, Japan 2,542.29 

1909-1910 Orphan Babies' Home, Verbank, N. Y. 12.10 

1910 Paris Flood Sufferers 14.50 

1909 Rev. and Mrs. John Perkins, Mis- 
sionaries, Liberia, W. A. 266.95 

1903-1910 Prison Gate Mission 874.52 

1901-1910 Pundita Ramabai, India Mission Work 2,648.99 

1904-1910 ReHef Work among the Poor, New 

York City 1,149.50 

1907-1910 Rev. C. Schmitt, Missionary, Nain, 

Labrador 197.00 

1901-1910 Society of Soul Winners, Wilmore, Ky. 665.60 

1899-1910 Spanish Gospel Fund for Cuban Camps 973.40 

1901-1910 Steele Orphanage, Chattanooga, Tenn. 1,079.54 

1905-1910 Sunshine Home for Blind Babies .... 2,103.17 

1903-1909 Volunteers of America 207.25 

1901-1910 White Door, New York 2,421.61 

1895 Western Famine Fund 26,825.40 

1904-1910 African Child Redemption Fund (M. 

E. Missions) 3,990.23 



ERNST & ERNST 

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS (ohio) 

IMPARTIAL AUDITS-SYSTEMS 
NEW YORK CHICAGO CLEVELAND 

ANOVER BANK 9-LD-G 1ST NATL B' K B LOG SCMOFIELD B LD G 



NEW YORK 

September 30th, 1910, 

Christian Herald, 
New York City, 

Gentlemen:- 

Pursuant to the request of Mrs. Mary M. Klopsch, 
Executrix of the Estate of Louis- Klopsch, deceased, formerly 
proprietor and editor of the CHRISTIAN HERALD, we have made 
an examination of the CHARITY FUNDS collected and disbursed 
by the CHRISTIAN HERALD from the inception of the various 
accounts down to February 28th, 1910, and submit herewith 
our report. 

The total liability to the various Charities on 
February 28th, 1910, as shown by the books, amounted to 
$110,882,31, and is represented by bank balances verified 
by us« It is made up as follows: Sinking Fund for China 
Orphans, guaranteeing support for seven years, $78,528.01j 
Endowment Fund for Children's Home, §25,638.58; Sinking 
Fund, guaranteeing support for Indian Orphans, |l,241,85j 
Sinking Fund for Missionary Substitutes, Japanese Orphans 
and sundry other Charities, ^5,474.87, We submit herewith 
itemized exhibit, pages 5 and 6. 

We found that eight funds had been overpaid by 
the CHRISTIAN HERALD, making a total overdraft of $6,775,79 
as evidenced by itemized exhibit page 7, 

We have prepared and submit herewith itemized 
exhibits showing the yearly Receipts and Disbursements on 
all the Funds appearing open on February 28th, 1910, We 
also examined a few of the large accounts, which had been 
closed prior to that date, as evidenced by exhibits pages 
93 to 104, 

We tested the accounts by checking all the 
contributions as published in the regular issues of the 
paper for certain periods, with the cash receipts and other 
records of the CHRISTIAN HERALD. We found that the 
disbursements were supported Jt^y properly endorsed checks 
and invoices* 

WE HEREBY CERTIFY that we have examined the 
CHARITY FUND Accounts of the CHRISTIAN HERALD as above 
outlined, and it is our opinion that all the contributions 
received have been properly disbursed as shown by the 
annexed exhibits. 




Certified Public Accountants. 



Years 
1896-1910 
1907-1910 

1908-1910 
1907-1910 

1901-1909 

1910 

1901-1905 

1906-1907 

1897-1904 

1892-1904 

1908-1909 

1905-1906 

1906 

1907 

1906 

1906 

1903 

1903 

1900 

1906 

1892 

1896 

1898- 



1907 
1907 



1893 
1898 
1899 



1894-1910 
1896-1910 
1892-1910 



A FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP 357 

Work Expended 

"Any Good Cause" Fund. $14,641.97 

Rev. F. W. Janssen, Missionary, 

Cebu, P. 1 5,502.08 

Mardin Relief Work, Mesopotamia . 1,773.53 
"Missionary Substitutes" in various 

lands 6,369.40 

Rev. E. H. Richards, Missionary, 

Zambesia, E. A 591.57 

Shiloh Orphanage (N. C.) 25.00 

China Famine Fund 128,280.68 

China Famine Fund 427,323.91 

India Famine Fund 732,187.59 

Salvation Army 1,220.13 

Bishop Scott (for redemption of Jasper 

Grant's Children, W. A.) 408.89 

Taylor University, Indiana 427.00 

Japan Famine Fund 241,822.80 

Bitlis Earthquake, iVrmenia 429.62 

Boer Home Industries, South Africa 657.60 

Mrs. E. Pregensen 361.00 

Northland (Finland) Famine Fund. . 132,681.27 

Macedonia Relief Fund 29,474.78 

Galveston Relief Fund 2,035.81 

San Francisco Earthquake Fund . . . 5,000.00 

1 Russian Famine ReUef Fund 32,000.00 

Armenia Massacre Relief Fund 63,867.98 

Relief Work among the Cuban recon- 

centrados 140,587.96 

Christian Herald Children's Home (14 

years and plant) 242,466.46 

Bowery Mission, New York (17 years 

and plant) 364,687.75 

2 Miscellaneous Home Charities (18 

years) 20,000.00 

$3,365,648.14 



^ In the Russian Relief Work, Dr. Klopsch chartered the Steamship Leo and 
loaded her with flour, medicines, and delicacies for the sick. In the India 
Famine he sent two steamers, the Quito and the Everett, to Bombay and Cal- 
cutta, with cargoes of foodstuffs. To China he sent food cargoes on the 
troop-ships Logan and Buford, the United States Government granting free 
transportation. To Cuba he sent partial cargoes of food and clothing on the 
Ward and Mallory lines. 

2 Includes Mine Disasters, Floods, Missions, Rescue Homes, Orphan Homes 
(White and Black), Prison Missions, Mountain Missions, Evangelism, Gospel 
Dissemination, Asylums, Hospitals, InvaUd Homes, Blind Babies, Bible Socie- 
ties, Port Missions, etc. 



CHAPTER XX 

ILLNESS AND DEATH 

BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OP A BUSY LIFE — HAPPY MARRIAGE — IDEAL 

HOME CIRCLE THE FATAL MALADY THE WORLD SHOCKED BY THE NEWS 

OF DR. KLOPSCH's DEATH PRESIDENT TAFT's SORROW CONDOLENCES 

FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS SPONTANEOUS TRIBUTES — PASTOR WILKIN- 
SON'S EULOGY TO NEW YORK BUSINESS MEN FUNERAL SERVICES AT THE 

METROPOLITAN TEMPLE ALL CLASSES AMONG THE MOURNERS REV. J. 

WESLEY hill's INVOCATION DR. HALLIMOND's PRAYER REV. J. M. 

Buckley's eulogy — lessons of a noble manhood — beautiful masonic 

SERVICE burial AT TARRYTOWN. 

THE busy life of Dr. E^opsch was lived in the 
city where all his good works were done under 
the fullest publicity, yet those who believed 
in him and followed his leadership should know some- 
thing more of him. The biographical annals are so 
simple that they may be briefly told. 

He was born in Lubben, near Berlin, Germany, 
March 26, 1852. His father, Osmar Klopsch, a 
physician by profession and an ardent believer in 
republican institutions, had belonged to the revolu- 
tionary party of 1848. This meant prosecution at 
the hands of the Government of that period, and Dr. 
Osmar Klopsch decided, as so many of his revolu- 
tionary compatriots had done, to seek the United 
States. He came to New York in 1854, bringing the 
two-year-old boy. The mother had in the mean- 
time died of a pulmonary affection. The father's 
circumstances were not prosperous, and at an early 

358 



ILLNESS AND DEATH 359 

age Louis E3opsch became self-supporting. He 
attended the public schools for a while, and then, 
before his course could be completed, was obliged 
to leave and take up his struggle with the world. 
His boyhood was passed in the heart of the city with 
which his whole life was identified. The story of 
his early activities, told in the opening chapter, 
shows the dominating character of the man. He 
had a purpose from boyhood which he realized. 

In 1886 occurred the event which sweetened his 
whole hfe. This was his marriage to Mary Merritt, 
the daughter of the Rev. Stephen Merritt, to whose 
philanthropic labors young Klopsch had been drawn 
almost in the beginning of his career. The union 
was a most happy one. He found a sympathetic 
helpmate who shared his enthusiasm and who in- 
spired him in his efforts. Four children were born 
of this union, a daughter and three sons, all of 
whom survive. 

Dr. Klopsch's home life was an ideal one. During 
the winter he lived in a large apartment in the heart 
of New York City. Relief from the cares of his 
business and of his many charitable enterprises was 
always to be had in the midst of his family. Those 
who had the privilege of seeing him in the home 
circle knew how beautiful was the domestic life. 
There as a husband and father his existence was 
ideal. His hospitality was broad, knowing no creed 
or condition of life, and one of his greatest enjoy- 
ments was to have a few guests gathered around 
his table. An evening at the Klopsch home was 
one never forgotten by those who shared in it. 



360 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

In the summer, Dr. Klopsch usually lived at Tarry- 
town-on-the-Hudson. Born and bred a city man, 
he loved the country. Another reason for his liking 
for Tarry town was that it was just across the Hudson 
River from Mont-Lawn and he could give part of his 
time to the children for whom his thoughtful care 
had provided the Home. 

All his life. Dr. Klopsch found rest and recreation 
in a change of surroundings, though hardly of occu- 
pation. A vacation as such he did not know. His 
trips to relieve suffering in foreign lands, or in his 
own country, he always called his vacations, but 
they were such only in the sense that he was free 
from the pressing details of daily work at The Chris- 
tian Herald oflSce. Occasionally he would recuperate 
by a flying ocean trip, always accompanied by Mrs. 
Klopsch. He would visit his friends and relatives 
in Germany, for whom he entertained great affection. 
Notwithstanding that he had left his native country 
as a small child, he was always very fond of it. 
Usually on these trips he would spend a little time in 
England also. Then would come the return voyage 
and the planning for new features of The Christian 
Herald, or new works of relief and rescue. The sea 
trips were a tonic to him. He loved the ocean. 
Sometimes he would say, when urged to take a long 
rest, that a voyage across the Atlantic and back 
was a year's rest to him. But there came a day 
when the brave worker who had never hesitated at 
any task was compelled to lay down the burden of 
his labors. In February, 1910, he was taken ill. 
The trouble was intestinal and after due examination 



ILLNESS AND DEATH 861 

an immediate operation was decided to be necessary. 
He was carefully removed to the German Hospital. 
Dr. Klopsch had no fear of death. He discussed the 
prospects of the operation calmly, arranged his busi- 
ness affairs, made his will, and in the hour before he 
was placed under the anaesthetic talked cheerfully 
and hopefully with Mrs. Klopsch and the other 
members of his family. 

The skill of the surgeons was unable to cope 
with the disorder. Dr. Klopsch passed away on the 
morning of March 7, a few days after the operation. 

To the world at large, who knew him by reputation, 
and to innumerable friends, the news of his death 
came as a shock, for there had been no previous 
intimation of his serious illness. At once a wave 
of sorrow swept over many lands that this great- 
hearted helper of humanity was no more. Spon- 
taneous tributes poured in from every quarter of 
the globe, while expressions from the pulpit and the 
press showed how deeply the loss was felt. 

President Taft wrote a letter of condolence to 
Mrs. Klopsch. It voiced the sorrow of the American 
nation. The President wrote: 

The White House, 
Washington, March 8, 1910. 
My dear Mrs. Klopsch: I was greatly shocked 
to note in the newspapers of yesterday that your 
good husband passed away under the effects of the 
operation. I have not known him long, but I have 
known him long enough to know of the good that 
he has done, the charity that he has encouraged, 



LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

and the gratitude that he is entitled to from the 
poor and oppressed. I sincerely hope that the mem- 
ory of all these things will sustain you in your grief. 
Very sincerely yours. 




Only a few months previously the President had 
appointed Dr. Klopsch to be a member of the Inter- 
national Relief Board of the American Red Cross. 

The Viceroy of India cabled direct from Calcutta 
to President Taft: 

Please accept on behalf of Indian Empire and convey to his 
family, sincere condolences on behalf of Louis Klopsch, whose 
munificent contributions for relief of distress during two severe 
famines can never be forgotten by the Government and people 
of India. 

The President, replying through Secretary Knox, 
acknowledged with sincere appreciation the Viceroy's 
sympathetic telegram and stated that the message 
had been conveyed to the family. 

Baron Uchida, the Japanese Ambassador in Wash- 
ington, telegraphed to Mrs. Klopsch his grief at her 
loss. 

Miss Mabel Boardman, of the American Red 
Cross, telegraphed: "His death is a loss to hu- 
manity. " 

The Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman, the evangelist, 
wrote: "The world has lost a great man and suf- 
fering humanity a good friend." 



ILLNESS AND DEATH 363 

The Rev. Charles M. Sheldon wrote from Topeka : 
"The loss is extended throughout a large circle. He 
is a man who will be missed here on earth by very 
many personal friends, of whom I count myself one." 

Baron Ozawa, the head of the Japanese Red Cross 
Society, cabled from Tokio his deepest sorrow and 
his sympathy for Mrs. Klopsch. 

WiUiam R. Moody, head of the Northfield Moody 
Schools, telegraphed to Mrs. Klopsch: "May the 
God of all comfort be your solace in this dark 
hour." 

American Consul-General Hanna at Monterey, 
Mexico, placed the flag over the Consulate at half- 
mast in honor of the man who had done so much 
for the flood sufferers. He also telegraphed his 
sympathy. 

Tributes were paid spontaneously at many church 
services and public gatherings, where men and 
women were gathered together for worship. On 
March 7, at 1 o'clock, just twelve hours after Dr. 
Klopsch had passed away, a large audience of busi- 
ness men assembled in the open air at Wall and 
Nassau Streets, New York, and listened with deep 
attention to an address by the Rev. William Wilkin- 
son of Trinity Church (who has become known as 
"the Bishop of Wall Street") who had been preaching 
there daily during the Lenten season. It was such 
an audience as could be gathered together nowhere 
else in America. Bankers, brokers, clerks, merchants, 
importers, and men of all sorts and callings were in 
the assemblage. Pastor Wilkinson among other 
things said: 



364 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

"I turn aside from my usual line of subjects to 
pay my tribute of love and honor to a princely man, 
who in this city has left his work on earth to take 
it up where Jesus Christ his Saviour and Master 
has appointed. Turn to Proverbs 10: 28, 29 — 'The 
hope of the righteous shall be gladness: the way of 
the Lord is strength to the upright.' There you 
have the deepest secret of the life of Dr. Klopsch. 
Born in Germany fifty-eight years ago, he had ever 
since coming to this land absorbed its very best 
spirit. He had a clear mind which saw at a glance 
the abiding from the accidental, the vital from the 
incidental. He was always swift to act, and these 
qualities of vision and action made him a very 
powerful helper in good work. He saw the Living 
God back of nature; he knew the world was run 
by law, not chance; that sin was death; that pardon 
was a joy complete, and that grace was sufficient 
for every man. This gave a breadth to his thinking, 
a plan and purpose to his life and his work which 
charmed kings. 

"Dr. Klopsch was at the head of The Christian 
Herald, which has the largest circulation of any 
religious paper in the world. It is read in every 
town and city in the United States. Its editor was 
every day looking, with wide-open eyes, for means 
of making larger its power for good. He was always 
anxious to find young men of striking ability and 
usefulness in the Church and the world. Such men 
he brought to the attention of his readers. This in 
the catholic spirit that marked the man throughout, 
and hence The Christian Herald is a mighty power 
for good. 

"This man had the courage of his convictions. 
He did not stand fawning on men of power, who 
sought to enslave the people; he did not use words 
to darken wisdom and halt reform. For a sober 



ILLNESS AND DEATH 365 

nation he stood; for proper housing of the workers 
he pleaded; and his voice was mighty against short 
weight and measure, and the adulterating and cor- 
nering of the food of the people. He spake with 
clarion tones, in words which rang like the notes of 
a trumpet calling armies to battle. It is refreshing 
and inspiring to meet a man of this class and prac- 
tice. No prouder plume can be placed on his tomb 
than this. It is the prime, it is the first and highest 
duty of Christian men in power to work for condi- 
tions where every one can educate his powers and 
have a fair, open, just opportunity of living in good 
conditions. No help is hke ability, by the grace of 
God, to help one's self and family. There will, how- 
ever, be times when it is the duty of editors and 
preachers to turn aside from considering men who 
sell law, men who buy law, who practice the abom- 
inable tyranny which oppresses, and also that which 
corrupts the people and the Republic! I mean the 
time when pestilence, famine, earthquake, great fire, 
and flood demand attention. To read what this 
man did is to see the soul of the man. The recital 
of facts is more thrilling than romance. It takes the 
soul at once over a bridge of nineteen hundred his- 
toric years, to the synagogue at Nazareth, when 
Jesus stood on that never to be forgotten Sabbath 
morning and, turning to the sixty-first chapter of 
Isaiah, said: *The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 
because he hath anointed me to preach good tidings 
to the meek; he hath sent me to heal the broken- 
hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives; to open 
the prison to them that are bound; to comfort all 
that mourn that they might be called trees of right- 
eousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be 
glorified.' Dr. Klopsch raised through his paper and 
friends and gave to every good work. He asked 
others to give also. 



366 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

"In Wall Street, in its busiest part, at its busiest 
hour, when men are planning to make money, when 
all is rush and push and desire, I stop to call your 
attention to this type of man who had time to pray, 
to plan, to work, to do good and delight in it. This 
brought him peace and honor at the last." 

At the First Methodist Church, the Rev. Francis 
Burdette Short made Dr. Klopsch's life-work the 
theme of a special address: 

"The name of Louis Klopsch," he said, "stands 
for uprightness, integrity, and philanthropy, world- 
wide and world-honored. He provided bread for 
the hungry and brought the dying back to life. His 
name is a blessing to the multitudes, and his memory 
will ever prove a delight to the nations of the earth. 

"He coveted the best gifts. He sought that more 
excellent way. He struggled to bring his body and 
talents into these higher laws, the laws that make for 
uprightness and peace among men. The warm 
heart that beat in his bosom was made sensitive 
and sympathetic by the spirit of the Man of Galilee, 
and he was only happy when he was pouring out his 
life that other lives might have that more abundant 
life." 

The wide-spread sorrow for the loss of a great 
and good man, and the deep respect in which he was 
held, was made manifest at the funeral services. 
They were held on the morning of Wednesday, 
March 9, in the Metropolitan Temple, at Seventh 
Avenue and Fourteenth Street, of which Dr. Klopsch 
was a valued member. All classes were represented 
among those who crowded the building, and many 



ILLNESS AND DEATH 367 

hundreds gathered outside unable to gam entrance, 
where they remained during the entire services. 
Within the Temple one could note the mingling of 
the rich and poor, the prosperous business men and 
humble workers; the men of the Bowery, who had 
learned to know and love Dr. Klopsch through his 
Christlike work in the Bowery Mission, and the men 
of large enterprises, who knew his ability and his 
commanding worth in the world of affairs. There, 
too, were the children of the tenements, met to take 
a last fond look at their kind benefactor and to sing 
as an appropriate requiem those sweet songs he 
had loved to hear them sing at the beautiful Chil- 
dren's Home which he founded for them at Mont- 
Lawn. Ministers of many different denominations, 
who had been co-workers with him in enterprises for 
the spiritual and material uplift of humanity, were 
present. All were drawn by a common impulse to 
show their respect, honor, and love for one whose 
life had been freely spent for others. 

The Rev. J. Wesley Hill, D.D., pastor of the 
Temple, led the procession up the aisle to the altar, 
reciting the service for the dead. He was accom- 
panied by the Rev. Ferdinand C. Iglehart, the Rev. 
J. M. Buckley, Rev. Wallace McMullen, the Rev. 
John Hallimond, and several others. After them 
came the honorary pall-bearers, who were Rear- 
Admiral Charles D. Sigsbee, O. S. Marden, G. H. 
Sandison, J. A. Belford, Otto Koenig, P. B. Brom- 
field, D. A. Nesbit, J. McGee, Dr. F. Schavoir, R. 
D. Carter, Charles Francis, S. A. Everett, Arthur J. 
Little, Wilham B. Howland, and J. J. Little. The 



368 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

bearers of the casket followed, and immediately 
behind it came the members of the family of the 
deceased: Mrs. Klopsch, Louis Klopsch, Jr., Miss 
Mary Klopsch, and Merritt Klopsch, all in deep 
mourning. The immediate relatives of the family 
brought up the rear. These included the venerable 
Stephen Merritt and Mrs. Merritt, Mr. and Mrs. 
Gilbert H. Crawford, Dr. Mary Crawford, Misses 
Charlotte and Caroline Crawford, Conrad Crawford, 
Mr. and Mrs. Morris Crawford, Miss Sarah Merritt, 
and Stephen Merritt, Jr. The casket was deposited 
in front of the platform, where it was surrounded by 
great fragrant banks of beautiful flowers, the lov- 
ing offerings of friends and associates. The superb 
floral wreath sent from the White House by President 
and Mrs. Taft was laid upon the casket. Rev. Dr. 
Hill opened the service by invoking the divine pres- 
ence and gracious blessing in these words : 

" O Thou, who art the ' shadow of a great rock in 
a weary land,' we come seeking the refuge of Thy 
love and the shelter of Thy wing. Thou, who hast 
said, 'Lo, I am with thee alway, even unto the end 
of the world,' reveal Thyself unto us in the consola- 
tions of Thy grace, the comfort of Thy Spirit, and 
the inspiration of that hope 'which we have as an 
anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and 
which entereth into that within the veil, whither the 
Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus Christ.' 
Amen." 

The first musical selection was sung by a quar- 
tette composed of Mrs. Fugle, soprano; Mrs. Anna 
Simpson, contralto; Frederick Boynton, tenor; F. 
Servier, basso, under the direction of Mr. Charles J. 



ILLNESS AND DEATH 

Evans, musical director of the Temple. Mrs. Prue 
Baird served as the organist. The selection was 
"Abide With Me." 

The Rev. Dr. F. C. Iglehart read Scripture selec- 
tions from the twenty-third Psalm and the fourteenth 
chapter of John's Gospel. The children of the Mont- 
Lawn Home, in the gallery, sang with surprising and 
melting pathos "The Glory Song." 

The Rev. Dr. Hallimond then offered prayer, as 
follows : 

**0 God, our Father, Thou hast seen fit to send 
a great sorrow to our hearts. We cannot understand 
it. We stagger under the mystery of it. We ask 
Thee to forgive us if we have shown any hesita- 
tion in accepting Thy will, if we have manifested 
any rebellion of spirit, if any murmuring has momen- 
tarily escaped us, forgive us; and oh, help us, because 
the task is too hard for us in our poor, frail, falter- 
ing humanity. Help us to be still and murmur not, 
to breathe the prayer divinely taught, *Thy will be 
done.' In Thy strength, O God, we accept the de- 
cree. If it be Thy will that we take the cup, even 
so, O Father. But, O God, notwithstanding the great 
weight, the great burden of sorrow which is resting 
upon us this morning, we cannot keep our hearts 
from rising in joy and exultation over the achieve- 
ments of this wonderful life that has just been 
brought to a close. We praise Thee, O God, for the 
many and the varied gifts that Thou didst bestow 
upon Thy servant; for his marvelous business acu- 
men, for his tireless zeal, for his burning enthusiasm, 
for his patient industry, for the rare example he 
has afforded us of a man who was able to make 
money, and yet never thought of spending it in the 
pursuit of mere personal pleasure or indulgence. 

"We praise Thee, O God, for his wide and world- 
embracing charity. We thank Thee for the virtue of 



370 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

being able to rise and take a broad and comprehen- 
sive view of the world's need. We thank Thee for 
his almost unparalleled resourcefulness. We thank 
Thee for his indomitable persistency of purpose. 
We thank Thee for his steadfastness in the truth. 
We thank Thee for the almost priceless lesson that 
he has been teaching the Christian community of 
this land during the last twenty years. We thank 
Thee, O God, for the great charitable heart of his. 
We thank Thee that, aided by Thy wisdom and 
through the instrumentality of an undenominational 
journal. Thou hast made it possible for him to gather 
together the scattered fragments, the units, and bind 
them in a great, united, happy family circle of 
Christian believers. We thank Thee for the mighty 
inspiration his personality has been to millions of 
his fellow creatures in all lands, from kings and 
princes and presidents down to the poor, homeless 
wanderers, outcasts, tramps in the Bowery, and the 
poor little, white-faced children in the tenements. 

*'We thank Thee, O God, for all that has been 
accomplished in connection with that wonderful 
commission which Thou didst place in his hands, of 
feeding the hungry multitude, so great, so vast, no 
other man has ever attempted it since Christ Him- 
self fed the five thousand in a desert place. We 
thank Thee, we praise Thee, that when, in the mys- 
terious workings of Thy providence, any country 
has been stricken with famine, or with flood, or with 
earthquake, or pestilence, that his heart instantly 
throbbed with a Christlike pity, and his hand was 
the first to be outstretched with the needed help. 
We thank Thee, O God, for all these lessons. We 
thank Thee for his comprehensive sympathy. We 
thank Thee for all the spiritual results that have 
come to his life, for his triumphs in the various 
Sabbath Schools with which he has been connected; 



ILLNESS AND DEATH 371 

for his noble and incessant care of these thousands 
of city children at Mont-Lawn for so many years. 
We thank Thee for his readiness to give spiritual 
help when it has been needed. We thank Thee for 
the thousands and tens of thousands that have been 
saved from the degradations of sin by his instrumen- 
tality. We thank Thee for the thousands of homes 
that have been gladdened and strengthened by his 
personality, reflected on the pages of his paper. 

" O God, Thou knowest how thankful we are for 
this great life that has just been closed. And now 
we pray, dear heavenly Father, for those that are 
left behind. We pray earnestly and specially for 
his widow, this sweet and gracious woman, whose 
life has been swept by this desolating sorrow. We 
pray for these dear boys and this daughter in their 
bitter sorrow, realizing as they do that they have 
lost the best and stanchest friend. Wearing the 
chill of their bereavement, they cry out for *the 
touch of that vanished hand and the sound of that 
voice that is still.' O God, wilt Thou comfort them. 
Comfort them, Father, with Thine own comfort, 
'as one whom a mother comforteth.' Wilt Thou 
comfort this woman and her fatherless children. 
We pray, as a congregation of Christian believers, 
that Thou wilt bless and comfort and strengthen 
that devoted staff in The Christian Herald office, 
who are grieving as no staff ever grieved before, 
perhaps, for an employer who has gone, and who 
was just as much a brother and a friend. O God, 
bless them and help them. 

"Do Thou bless the thousands of little children in 
this great city this morning who are troubled, and 
who, in their childish sympathy, sorrow, and wonder- 
ment, are asking, as they have been doing, ' Shall we 
never see his face again .f^' And bless the thousands 
of orphans in India and Japan and China who don't 



372 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

even yet know of the great loss that has come to 
them. Bless the poor men in the bread-line to- 
night who, in addition to all their misery, have this 
thought: that they have lost their best friend, their 
benefactor. And we ask Thee, O God, as a congre- 
gation, that Thou wilt grant that those great chari- 
ties of his, and the numberless small charities that 
he, aided by Thy wisdom and strengthened by Thy 
strength, was able to inaugurate and carry on for so 
many years — we pray that they may be carried on 
by other faithful souls, who are thus called to take 
his place. And now we pray for ourselves, that we 
may go from this service back to our God-given 
spheres of labor with increased devotion for that 
great cause to which he has given the last full meas- 
ure of his devotion. We ask it in the name of our 
Redeemer. Amen." 

The quartette sang "'Lead, Kindly Light." The 
Rev. Dr. Wallace MacMullen read the second 
Scriptural selection from the fifteenth chapter of I. 
Corinthians. 

The voices of the children of the Mont-Lawn 
Home again rang out in a beautiful hymn, composed 
of Bible verses, a selection which was a peculiar 
favorite of Dr. Klopsch. 

The Rev. Dr. James M. Buckley, editor of the 
Christian Advocate, of New York, was the next 
speaker. He said: 

" Our Lord Jesus was the most pitiful of all the 
preachers. He gave the most comprehensive of 
all the statements. And above them all he stood 
ready to teach angels as well as men. He pities us 
today. He knows that *the spirit is willing, but the 
flesh is weak.' He knows that those who suffer most 
excruciatingly may take his prayer, * Let this cup pass 
from me.' If it may pass from me, that would be 
my desire; but not my will, not my will. Thy will. 



ILLNESS AND DEATH 373 

"President McKinley turned to his invalid wife as 
he was about to die, and said, as well as he could, 
' Our ways are not God's ways, but God's ways are 
our ways, and we must make them our ways.' There 
were many paraphrases of that utterance, but that 
is the idea, and it stands from the beginning until 
now to all who have faith. Even a little faith in 
God will go a long distance toward steadying us. 
As for 'weeping' and 'sorrow,' those who say the 
Christian ought not to weep or sorrow do not under- 
stand the Bible, nor the human heart. Did Christ 
rebuke the sisters? Did not St. Paul himself say 
that God sent his friend Epaphroditus, lest he, Paul, 
should have sorrow upon sorrow .^^ Did not our 
Lord weep with the sisters? 

"Tears are for the earth, and for the Christian 
who can say, 'There is my son,' calmly looking into 
the dead face; for the man who can look upon his 
wife's face calmly, and say, 'That is God's will and 
it is my will,' there is no death in either heart. We 
are made so that we may weep rather than dash 
against the rocks or become absolutely devoid of 
reason. 

"When a poor man dies, his wife has lost her all. 
When a rich man dies, there are many things left 
of temporary comfort; but I have never known any 
difference between the sorrows of the poor and the 
sorrows of the rich, where the heart is involved — 
the same miseries, the same trembling, the same 
looking for a future, and not ready for it. But God 
makes every promise that the soul desires. The 
sacred Book is like the contents of a medicine chest. 
One must not take anything out of the medicine 
chest at random. Each item fits the exact need at a 
certain time. And so, here we go through the Book, 
and we find a promise for every difficulty. 

"You will find no definite promise to comfort a 



374 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

man who has been bereaved of his wife in the Bible, 
from one end of it to the other; but where can you 
search without finding some great promise for the 
widow? The subUmest figure in all the Bible relates 
to the sorrows of the woman who had lost her hus- 
band; and the utterances 'I am the Father of the 
fatherless' and 'I am the God of the widow' are 
given; and God even rises to this tremendous symbol, 
'Thy Maker is thy husband.' 

"It is not necessary for us to recount in this 
presence all that our friend thought, all that he 
intended, all that he did. Long before we came to 
this last house, the newspapers of the country had 
told of his achievements. We are here to sympathize ; 
we are here to reflect upon the great principles of 
God, of immortality, of Christ, and of human life. 
Let us get a glance today, through faith, into the 
fact that God himself requires the whole universe 
to carry out his plan. No Christian dies accidentally. 
If he be thrown down before a car and crushed, in 
the thought of God it is not an accident. * Precious 
in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.' 
All deaths could be postponed without a miracle. 
God has constantly a connection with our ideas — 
the constant stream of our ideas. If he saw best, 
without a miracle he could influence us in thought 
not to get under the wall when it is about to fall. 
By a mere movement of our faculties God might 
cause us to pass away. We must accept the old re- 
ligion of the general providence of God. Who knows 
that this death will not awaken thousands to the 
consideration that they must prepare to die.^^ Who 
knows it.^ There ought to be persons in this house 
today who have seen here the pallid features, the 
magazine of energy silent and cold. They should 
take it to their hearts that they will be as silent, as 
cold, as helpless, and that the time is unknown. 



ILLNESS AND DEATH 375 

''What caused this man to do these things? No 
doubt he was pleased with pubHc approbation. Re- 
member there is a marked difference between self- 
ishness and self-love. We are not required by the 
Golden Rule to love our neighbor more than we 
love ourselves. We are to love our neighbor as 
we love ourselves. And we received the honors of 
his wonderful philanthropic and successful projects, 
and he had plenty of Scripture for that; for at the 
end of all the Epistles there is a list of saints and of 
the good things they have done. It is when a man 
works for himself exclusively that he is thrown out 
of heaven. But he loved God and his neighbor. 
All these things were a part of his religion. Some 
rejoice in riches, some in political honors, some in 
scholastic achievements. He preferred to get his 
highest honor through assisting those that were not 
so well off in the world as himself. 

'* Friends, there is a manifest contrast here. You 
never saw such a contrast. I never saw such a con- 
trast. Every class and condition of humanity may 
be found here. This magnificent floral decoration 
on the casket was sent here by the President of the 
United States. Recognizing the great difficulty of 
genuine philanthropy, he finds genuine philanthropy 
in the heart of this man. And these two hundred 
children — descended from many nations — these 
two hundred children that have been singing to us 
here are the children of the poor. Here is fulfilled 
in this man's life the proverb three thousand years 
old, ' Seest thou a man diligent in his business ? he 
shall not stand before mean men; he shall stand 
before kings.' The country comes up in the act of 
the President and says, 'Well done! Well done!' 

"It is read at almost every service, 'Blessed are 
the dead that die in the Lord; for they shall rest 
from their labors, and their works do follow them.' 



376 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

It is beautiful. 'Their works do follow them.' Am I 
not right in saying that such has been the nature of 
this man's philanthropy that the immense number 
of his works have gone before him.^^ It must be so, 
for they have included life and death. 

"And now, what shall we say.^ Shall we say that 
there is a mistake.^ Suppose that he had lingered, 
as some philanthropists have, until they were so old 
and imbecile that they were forgotten! And here 
speaks with great force the value of a life. He was 
but little poorer, richer than some of the poorest, 
when he began. He made a life. He made a fortune. 
He made a great philanthropy of a peculiar kind. 
It is an honor to meet together in his honor. I shall 
miss him, but I did not postpone until his death to 
commend him. After a visit to his institution for 
the children, I described as well as I could what I 
saw, what I heard, and, best of all, what I felt. I 
hope to meet him where there is no disappointment, 
no heart-breaking surprises. I suggest to his chil- 
dren that the father of Noah, when Noah was born, 
said, 'These shall comfort us concerning our work 
and labor of love.' 

"Passing one day a most imposing structure in 
this city devoted to religion, I turned in to hear the 
sermon, and the sermon was preached from this text 
to which I have just referred, and the eloquent 
preacher said, 'In order to carry out the spirit of 
the name, it is wise for sons and daughters to carry 
out, as far as possible, the plans of their parents 
and thus show confidence in them as respects their 
judgment and their love for them by manifesting 
it in such a manner.' And so I say to these sons 
and this daughter: Always have a deep sympathy 
with your father's principles and spirit and works, 
and then each day to the last you will be a comfort 
to your mother and insure yourselves a final meeting 
where no sepulchral voice is heard. 



ILLNESS AND DEATH 377 

" There are minor chords. There are major chords. 
These are minor chords, but as we go forth let us be 
so powerfully wrought upon by the virtues of a good 
and successful life that we may feel within our souls 
ringing ' Onward ! Onward, Christian ! ' " 

As a solo Mrs. Simpson sang " Crossing the Bar." 
Rev. Dr. Hill closed the regular service by pronounc- 
ing the benediction: "The grace of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, the love of God, and the comfort of the Holy 
Spirit be and abide with you now and evermore. 
Amen." 

Following the formal church service came the 
beautiful Masonic rite for the dead by members of 
the Evangelist Lodge, which was hstened to with 
much feeling. The little group of his fellow-mem- 
bers surrounded the casket, and as the rite pro- 
ceeded, they depositing on the casket their tiny 
sprays of evergreen, the token of immortality, a 
thrill went through the church. Past Master T. S. 
Roane officiated. Later, when the Scottish rite was 
performed by another delegation of the Masonic 
Brotherhood, and a single, perfect white rose was 
laid upon the breast of the dead, every one felt the 
beautiful appropriateness of the symbol of a pure 
and upright life. The late Dr. Klopsch was a thirty- 
second degree Mason. Commander-in-Chief John 
Lloyd Thomas pronounced a beautiful eulogy. 

After this rite had ended, the casket being still 
open, the congregation was permitted to take a last 
look at the face of the departed. Solemnly and 
silently the long line filed past, many lingering as 
they gazed with streaming eyes. Many wept as 
they looked upon the familiar lineaments, now lying 
so white and stately and still. 

The little tenement children followed the adults 
in the line and gazed wonderingly and with tear- 
dimmed eyes upon the features of their benefactor. 



378 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

The pall-bearers, in their turn, filed past the casket, 
and last of all came the family. It was a painful 
moment and sobs could be heard throughout the 
church. 

After the closing of the casket, the procession 
was re-formed, the pall-bearers leading. Slowly they 
came down the aisle to the mournful strains of the 
**Dead March." It seemed as if the very depths of 
sorrow and feeling had been touched. At the door, 
and far up and down the street, were the crowds 
who had been unable to obtain admittance. The 
casket was deposited in the hearse, and the family and 
immediate relatives entered the mourning coaches 
in waiting, after which the crowd slowly dispersed. 

Among those present at the funeral were Mrs. 
Sarah J. Bird, "the Mother of the Bowery Mission"; 
Rev. Frank DeWitt Talmage, Rev. Wilbur F. 
Crafts of Washington, D. C; Rev. Daniel S. Greg- 
ory, D.D.; Rev. William James, Rev. George San- 
derson, chaplain of the Tombs; Rev. Dr. J. M. 
Farrar, Rev. Dr. F. F. Shannon, Rev. Dr. W. J. 
Peck, Rev. G. S. Avery, Chester Crest; Alderman 
Caygill, of New York City; Colonel W. H. Cox 
and Colonel Margitts, of the Salvation Army; 
Rev. J. M. Conway, Florence Mission; Rev. John 
Callahan, Hadley Hall; Mr. J. H. Wyburn, Water 
Street Mission; Mr. Don Shelton, Mr. H. P. Main, 
Rev. W. T. Twamley, Rev. Franklin S. Babbitt, 
of Nyack, N. Y., and many other clergymen. 

There was a large delegation of editors and pub- 
Hshers of the religious press of the country, and 
many men prominent in various lines of business 
who had been personally acquainted with Dr. 
Klopsch during his busy lifetime. 

Dr. Klopsch's remains were conveyed by rail to 
Tarrytown-on-the-Hudson. Interment took place in 
the picturesque cemetery at Sleepy Hollow. It was 



ILLNESS AND DEATH 379 

one of his last wishes that his grave should be chosen 
in a site that would overlook the Hudson and com- 
mand a view of his dearly loved Children's Home, 
and that wish will now be faithfully carried out. 
There he sleeps, until the last trumpet sounds. 



CHAPTER XXI 

THE VOICE THAT YET SPEAKS 

TESTIMONY TO THE ENDURING INFLUENCE OF DR. KLOPSCh's GOOD WORKS A 

SOLDIER OF HUMANITY MUTUAL CONFIDENCE IN THE "CHRISTIAN HERALD " 

FAMILY PUBLIC MEMORIAL MEETING RABBI MICHELSOn's PRAISE 

BISHOP Darlington's address — dr. marsden's analysis — a word from 

IRVING BACHELLER DR. HILL's TALK JUDGE TOMPKIN's VIEW DR. 

IGLEHART's story EDITORIAL COMMENT. 

WHEN the grave has closed over the mortal 
remains of a man whose life has been 
given to the services of others, the last 
word has not been said. The voice that is silent yet 
speaks as with a thousand tongues through the good 
works that go on. Dr. Klopsch had labored for the 
future as well as for the present. The deep impres- 
sion he made on his own generation rendered it cer- 
tain that his influence would continue and endure. 

Tributes continued to be paid to his memory, and 
the insight into his character as a practical philan- 
thropist which they contained showed how abiding 
was the work that he had done. 

"American philanthropy," said the Baltimore 
American in an appreciative editorial, "will not rate 
the name of any one deserving honor more highly 
than Dr. Klopsch, whose sphere of distributing 
charities in time of national or local disaster, in 
times of scourge, or famine and floods, made him a 
conspicuous figure the world over. It was not that 
he himself had such large means that he could 

380 



THE VOICE THAT YET SPEAKS 381 

magnify his money with his spirit, but it was because 
in many cases he became the medium through which 
the offerings of multitudes of persons, rich and poor, 
were employed in the most serviceable humane 
ways; yet he himself was a large giver to charities 
he had founded. Those who rallied to the call of 
this charitable editor knew that their money would 
go directly to the object for which it was subscribed. 
He had developed a genius as an alleviator of wide 
distress. 

"It would only be necessary to recount honors 
bestowed upon him by foreign rulers and societies 
in order to secure a list of countries that acknowl- 
edged indebtedness to his broad and generous nature. 
He was a man with a sense of human responsibility 
that dignifies a generation." 

Another journal, the Milwaukee Free Press, under 
the caption of "A Soldier of Humanity," said: 

"Dr. Klopsch was an American citizen of German 
birth whose eager interest in the suffering and 
afflicted made him active wherever service was to 
be rendered to humanity. Where disaster reigned, 
destitution prevailed, and desperation brooded, he 
became the foremost organizer and distributor of 
charitable relief. 

"Such a task as this, accomplished through the 
agency of any one man, is a tremendous performance, 
and the record of Dr. Klopsch is one for legitimate 
pride, not only as a philanthropist, but for the busi- 
ness judgment shown in organizing and financing 
these wide-spread relief movements, thus making 
it possible for every heart which had gone out in 



LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

sympathy to the desolation and misery of another 
land to give that emotion practical expression and 
make it helpful in succoring those in need. Sym- 
pathy that so manifests itself is the one touch of 
nature that makes the whole world kin and more 
than many Hague Conferences leads men to real- 
ize that He hath made of one flesh all the nations 
upon earth." 

A journal devoted more particularly to men of 
note in business enterprises, The Press Scrap Booh, 
in a sympathetic summary of Dr. Klopsch's work, 
gave this estimate of his character: 

"His energy, ability, and determination to succeed 
overcame every obstacle and commanded the good- 
will, respect, and support of all with whom he came 
in contact. His industry was marvelous and his 
fidelity to business engagements helped him materi- 
ally to win his way to higher success. 

"One of the beautiful features of his great work 
was the supreme harmony, the mutual confidence, 
and Christian love existing between Dr. Klopsch 
and his readers. Representing an exceptionally in- 
telligent, high-minded, and sincerely religious class 
of the community, the patrons of The Christian 
Herald were in complete sympathy with Dr. Klopsch 
in his charitable undertakings, and contributed most 
generously to the causes indicated as worthy of 
relief. Dr. Klopsch on his part not only saw that 
the funds were faithfully and effectively applied 
to the purpose for which they were contributed, but 
also gave liberally of his personal means to The 
Christian Herald charities. 



THE VOICE THAT YET SPEAKS 383 

"Dr. Klopsch was in earnest, active, inspiring 
sympathy with every good cause. His advice and 
fellowship were sought not merely for the sake of 
material aid, but because of the impetus which he 
gave to any movement in which he was interested. 
He possessed the gift of personal magnetism in a 
wonderful degree, and attracted the devotion and 
loyalty of all who were associated with him. He 
possessed in this and other personal attributes some 
of the characteristics which are peculiar to true 
greatness, to men marked out as leaders and guides 
to their fellows. No man in ancient or modern 
times has done so much as he to establish the fel- 
lowship of man, the brotherhood of our common 
humanity." 

Mr. Melville E. Stone, General Manager of the 
Associated Press, was a personal friend of Dr. 
Klopsch. He had come into contact with and had 
personal knowledge of several of Dr. Klopsch's 
charities, at home and abroad. Mr. Stone was 
specially struck with the character and value of the 
work Dr. Klopsch had done in India, and on return- 
ing from a tour in the East, he wrote the following 
letter recording his impressions of that work: 



©b^ JVssoriatf d fxtss. 



GENERAL OFPICE. 

IBS BBOAOtWAT. HCai TOR* CITK. 



October 4, 1910. 
Dear Mr. Sandison: While in India, it was my good 
fortune to see something of one phase of the great work done 



384 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

by the late Dr. Klopsch. I have no hesitation in saying that 
the peculiar kind of work that he did in India was the most 
effective missionary work that I observed. I think it would 
be admitted by all that the efforts to convert Moslems or 
Hindoo adults to our point of view have been pretty barren 
of results; but at the orphanages at Ajmeer and Cawnpore and 
other places which I visited, I found a large company of people 
growing into young manhood and womanhood under conditions 
of a most promising character. 

When the last great famine occurred, a vast number of 
infant children were orphaned, and would have died at once 
but for the intervention of Dr. Klopsch. He provided a fimd 
which made it possible to gather these children together, feed 
and clothe them, and give them a Christian education. They 
were removed from the sharp prejudices and superstitions 
which have such a strong governing influence upon their race, 
and it cannot be but they will be of great value in spreading 
the cause of Christian civilization throughout Asia. 

Sincerely yours, 

A feeling tribute was paid by Myrta Lockwood 
Avary of Georgia, who was on the staflf of The 
Christian Herald for several years, and was very 
active in its sociological and charity labors, espe- 
cially the "Fresh Air Work" for the tenement chil- 
dren. In memorial verse she wrote: 

At his command 
Corn-bearing ships to famine lands set sail 
Our country's banners flying at the mast. 
Through these poor hands the bread of life has passed 
To starving millions. 
Now, where he lieth in his cerements, 
The kindly thought of thousands weaves a pall. 
Fragrant and fair as were the flowers that bloomed. 



THE VOICE THAT YET SPEAKS 385 

And that the children brought him at his call 
To spread above him ere he is entombed, 
And o'er his grave the shining vail of death 
Floats soft and luminous. 

Notwithstanding that the funeral services of Dr. 
Klopsch had enabled thousands to pay their tributes 
of respect, and noted men to give their estimate of 
his life, the desire to make further testimonial to the 
man and his good works was so universal that it was 
found necessary to arrange special memorial services. 
These were held in the large auditorium of the New 
Masonic Hall on Twenty-fourth Street, New York 
City, on the evening of April 14. Rarely has an 
audience been in more sympathetic accord with the 
great central theme of the occasion which brought 
them together. Almost all those present had been 
personal friends of Dr. Klopsch, or had been helped 
through some personal acts of kindness or through 
some of his enormous philanthropies, or had known 
of his great public service at home and abroad, and 
wished by their presence to join in honoring his 
memory. 

On the speaker's platform were Mr. William R. 
Moody; Dr. J. H. Darlington, Episcopal Bishop of 
Harrisburg; Dr. O. S. Marden; Mr. Irving Bacheller; 
Rev. John Wesley Hill; Judge Arthur S. Tomp- 
kins; Rev. Wallace MacMullen; Mr. Edwin S. Ives; 
Rev. James M. Farrar; Rev. F. C. Iglehart; Rabbi 
Michelson; Mr. K. Yamazaki, Consul-General of 
Japan; Mrs. Bird, "Mother of the Bowery Mission"; 
Rev. George Sanderson, chaplain of the Tombs, 
and others. This was the order of the service: 



386 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Opening Hymn Prof. H. E. Browne, Organist. 

"My Faith Looks Up to Thee." 

Prayer Rev. Wallace MacMuUen, D.D. 

Scripture Reading Rev. James M. Farrar, D.D. 

Reading of Letters Mr. Edwin S. Ives. 

Address Rabbi Michelson. 

Memorial Address Bishop J. H. Darlington. 

Bible Verses Sung by 250 Mont-Lawn Children. 

Prof. Noll, of Nyack, at the Organ. 

Address Dr. O. S. Marden. 

(Representing the Periodical Publishers' Association.) 

Singing "The Glory Song,'* by 250 Mont-Lawn Children. 

Address Mr. Irving Bacheller. 

Address Rev. John Wesley Hill. 

Address Judge Arthur S. Tompkins. 

Singing Bowery Mission Men's Choir. 

"It Is Well With My Soul." 

Address Mr. K. Yamazaki of Japan. 

Address Rev. Dr. Iglehart. 

DoxoLOGY Prof. Browne, Organ. 

Benediction Rev. Stephen Merritt. 

Mr. William R. Moody, of Northfield, Mass., head 
of the Moody Schools, presided. After the opening 
hymn. Bishop Darlington, of Harrisburg, led in 
prayer. The Bishop prayed that "the memory of 
the good man who has gone may make us more 
zealous in all good works for God and our fellow 
men, giving us greater love for Christ, a higher idea 
of duty, and a firmer resolve to stand fast for the 
righteousness of the saints." 

Rev. James M. Farrar, D.D., of Brooklyn, chose 
as the Scripture reading the first Psalm. Mr. Edwin 
S. Ives read extracts from a number of letters received 
from friends in different states, regretting their 



THE VOICE THAT YET SPEAKS 387 

inability to be present. Governor Hughes of New 
York sent word by his secretary that "the Gover- 
nor would have been very glad to attend the memo- 
rial service to Dr. Klopsch were it possible for him 
to do so, as he highly appreciated Dr. Klopsch's 
services to humanity." Among those who sent 
letters of regret were Mr. John C. Havemeyer, of 
Yonkers; Ex-Mayor Charles A. Schieren, Brooklyn; 
Mr. John Brisben Walker, Mr. L. N. Doubleday, 
Mrs. M. V. Terhune ("Marion Harland"), Mr. 
John Lloyd Thomas, Commander Scottish Rite; 
Mrs. Margaret E. Sangster, Rev. C. H. Mead, Rev. 
Bernard Peck, and many others. 

Rabbi Michelson, of Trenton, was the next speaker. 
He said in part: 

I am a rabbi. I am in charge of a large congregation; the 
only rabbi of a Jewish community in Trenton. I am Jewish 
chaplain of the New Jersey State Prison. When I was a boy, 
I wanted to read something in English which would arouse me 
and keep me in touch with the highest, the best, and the truest 
in the spiritual world, and I then turned to The Christian 
Herald, and I saw there and I can feel now as I felt when I 
read those bright and brilliant and arousing and soothing pages, 
in which this man had stamped every word and every line and 
every syllable with his personality. And so I went on studying 
The Christian Herald, and I am reading it today. He who 
reads it and understands its policy, will walk in the ways of 
the Lord, I am sure. 

I came in touch with another work of his — the Bowery 
Mission. I think it is possibly the greatest institution of its 
kind in the world. When Dr. Klopsch spoke there, you will 
believe me when I say, I was stepping upon holy ground. When 
I saw many men, weary, heavy-laden, and when I heard the 
Gospel of the New Testament, I said "blessed," and the Old 



388 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

Testament, I said "blessed"; and it was Dr. Klopseh who 
loved it and worked for it. Our rabbis tell us that the righteous 
of all nations shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Dr. Louis 
Klopseh was righteous and he was good, and, therefore, though 
of a different faith, it is my feeling that he will inherit the 
kingdom of heaven. Let this be our prayer, that when we 
shall all meet our Father, we shall see him side by side there 
as our brother himseK. 

Bishop J. H. Darlington, who made the principal 
address, spoke of Dr. Klopseh as the "friend of the 
whole world, raising millions of money for those 
hungering unto death. In any great trouble, such 
as a famine at the ends of the earth, he would take 
up that want and be glad to meet it. It was seizing 
the opportunities lying around him that made him a 
genius. He was a genius in organizing; not in writ- 
ing or speaking, but in using the things about him 
which he made into means of vast good. He dis- 
covered Dr. Farrar and his ability to preach to the 
children, that he might bring them to the feet of 
the dear Master. 

"It is only a short time ago that I was at the 
Bowery Mission, when it was visited by the President 
of the United States. As I stood there, the boys in 
their rough way gave three cheers for 'Bill and the 
Bish'; and I thought they were not cheering the 
right man. I little thought that night that so soon 
the end would come to Dr. Klopseh." 

The singing of the "Bible Verses" by the children 
of Mont-Lawn was beautifully rendered, and made 
a deep impression on the audience. 

Chairman Moody then paid a brief, but eloquent, 
tribute to Dr. Klopseh, as " a Christian great in his 



THE VOICE THAT YET SPEAKS 

deeds, who dared with great daring deeds of magni- 
tude which many would have shrunk from. His 
sympathy extended beyond geographical barriers, 
and made him a great foreign missionary in the best 
sense; a great home missionary in the truest sense, 
and a loyal and devoted city missionary also." 

Dr. O. S. Marden was the next speaker. He repre- 
sented the publishing interests in which Dr. Klopseh 
was so active. In the course of his address, he said: 

I met Dr. Klopsch last at a banquet in Washington given 
by the Periodical Association of America, of which he was an 
officer. The President of the United States was there. Dr. 
Klopsch sat at my table and seemed to enjoy the occasion as 
much as any. He was taken ill that very night. I never 
saw him alive again. He was thought very highly of by the 
Periodical Association, which represents something like fifty 
different magazines and periodicals. 

Mr. Klopsch started in New York poor, and made his own 
career, and if aU those who have been befriended by him should 
wish to come to this memorial service, the highway from the 
Battery to Central Park would be black with the people who 
have been helped by his marvelous life. More than that, there 
are probably one hundred thousand people ahve tonight who 
would have starved but for this man's remarkable ability and 
organizing energy, his far-seeing sagacity and business ability. 
He founded orphanages all over the world. But right here at 
home was one of the greatest of his works, as represented by 
the children here tonight. I never saw a man enter into child- 
life so absolutely as did Dr. Klopsch. I understand that over 
forty thousand children from the East Side, poor, pale, many 
ill, have been taken to the Home upon the Hudson — Mont- 
Lawn — and had two or three weeks' vacation. Think of it. 
Over forty thousand children! And who of us can tell how 
many of these he has saved from going wrong because he 
befriended them, and how many would have been dead but for 



390 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH ' 

this man? If we could ask Dr. Klopsch tonight what gave 
him the most satisfaction, what do you suppose it would be? 
He would point to these children, who have been saved and 
helped, and to the men saved at the Bowery Mission. It is 
only what we give away that we save. It is only what we 
render to others that survives death. We cannot carry a penny 
across the Great River, but we can carry good deeds; and Dr. 
Klopsch would say that many of the things we appreciate were 
mere rubbish. And he would give us another lesson — to do 
our work while we Uve. We plan to do good works. Men 
accumulating money, intend to do much for some good pur- 
pose; but Dr. Klopsch gave us a lesson in doing good while 
we live. 

Chairman Moody again introduced the children, 
who sang most sweetly the " Glory Song." 

Rev. Wallace MacMullen offered a prayer, after 
which Chairman Moody introduced Mr. Irving 
Bacheller, who spoke briefly. He said in part: 

"Our friend, whom we honor tonight, preached 
with bread; he argued with human kindness; he 
prayed with wheat and corn and forgiveness and 
generosity. He baptized with soap and water. We 
call it the modern spirit, but it is really very old. He 
preached a sermon to the hungry hordes of India — 
one of the greatest sermons of history. There were 
a million bushels of wheat in it. Louis Klopsch was 
essentially a minister and organizer. His desk was 
his pulpit; The Christian Herald the contribution 
plate; every son of God was his brother. His week- 
day was as holy as his Sabbath; his counting-room 
as consecrated as his church; his note-of-hand as 
sacred as his Bible; his business as clean as his reli- 
gion. We need more such ministers. At Brad- 
street's his rating was perfect, and I fancy in the 
archives of St. Peter it is quite as good. If every man. 



THE VOICE THAT YET SPEAKS 391 

woman, and child whom he had befriended in this 
wide world should lay a flower upon his grave, a 
mountain of fragrance and beauty would arise 
thereon." 

Mr. Moody introduced Rev. Dr. John Wesley Hill, 
Metropolitan M. E. Church, New York, who said: 

"Last week, in conversation with President Taft 
in Washington, with reference to the rare qualities 
and the phenomenal achievements of our departed 
friend, our President declared that his late visit to 
the Bowery Mission was one of the most inspiring 
and delightful events of his life. Then, pausing for 
a moment, he said: 'Tell me about the Mission. 
Will it stand .^' I said: 'It truly will. It has been so 
organized and established that it must enlarge and 
increase and more and more fulfil the vision which 
its founder had concerning it.' Then the President 
said: 'I have heard that Dr. Klopsch founded a 
Children's Home somewhere. Where is it.^ Tell me 
about it.' I told him about it; and then he asked 
what sort of a memorial would be established to the 
memory of this great and good man. I told him that 
an effort had already been projected by the friends 
of Dr. Klopsch to endow the Children's Home. 
'Well,' he said, as I left him, 'keep me advised as to 
that movement, for when the time comes, I want to 
send my check as my personal tribute to the char- 
acter and achievements of Dr. Louis Klopsch.' 

"We are too near his memory to fully appreci- 
ate his greatness. One must stand back from the 
mountain in order to behold its magnitude. We 
shall not forget him. There are moments when he 



392 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

seems far removed from us. But I think he has 
only stepped around the corner." 

Judge Arthur S. Tompkins, of Nyack, N. Y., 
made a speech that deeply impressed the meeting. 
He said in part: 

Coming from the summer home of Dr. Klopsch, and the scene 
of his splendid work for the children whom he loved and served, 
I count it a very great privilege to have a Uttle part in this 
appropriate memorial service. In his death, countless thousands 
into whose hves he brought sunshine and cheer and hope, have 
lost a loving and generous friend, and the world has lost one 
of its big men, and one of its great benefactors. Few men have 
touched so many hearts and influenced so many Uves for good. 
His was a world-wide love, as broad as the continent and as 
deep and intense as the needs of his fellow men. His genius 
and capacity for great enterprises, his business acumen, his 
fertiUty of resources, his energy and courage and enthusiasm 
enabled him to overcome every obstacle, and surmount every 
difficulty, and solve every problem, and achieve singular success 
in every undertaking, and enabled him to do works of charity 
and benevolence and philanthropy that have startled and 
amazed the world. And tonight the world is better and sweeter 
and purer, and heaven is richer because he lived and loved and 
wrought. The Christhke spirit that has made this the very 
golden age of philanthropy and benevolence was exemplified 
in the life of our friend. What must be his reward for all the 
activities of mind and heart and means; for the spiritual and 
moral and physical well-being of men and women all the world 
over.f^ There is no arithmetic by which his benefactions can 
be counted. The sum total of his kindly deeds and his chari- 
table acts will never be known this side eternity. But we rejoice 
that the great works that he inaugurated are to continue. 
Truly, his labors, his works do follow him. He sowed harvests 
that coming generations will reap. He started some streams 
of work and influence that wiU flow on and on forever. 



THE VOICE THAT YET SPEAKS 

The Bowery Mission Choir then sang "It Is Well 
With My Soul," the audience singing the chorus. 

Rev. Ferdinand C. Iglehart was the last speaker. 
He said Dr. Klopsch was most Christlike in his love 
for children. At Mont-Lawn they climbed upon 
him, put their arms about his neck, and kissed him, 
and he was happy, and young; and they were happy 
because he was with them. The speaker happened 
to be in Washington just a few days after the death 
of Dr. Klopsch. "President Taft asked me about 
the institutions which had been founded, and I told 
him that his family and those he had gathered about 
him in his institutions promised to continue the beau- 
tiful work he had done. The great ones of the earth 
knew and honored him; the men in the ' bread 
line' worshiped him; the children loved him. 'Bury 
me in Sleepy Hollow,' he said when he lay dying, 'so 
that I can look out upon Mont-Lawn.' It was the 
apple of his eye, and on fair days the children can 
look out upon Sleepy Hollow and see the grave of 
their benefactor. And so long as there shall ring the 
merry laugh of childhood; so long as there shall be 
the appreciation of the true, the beautiful, the good, 
the heroic in human conduct, so long will this man 
live in the hearts and interests of our countrymen." 

After the singing of the Doxology, Chairman 
Moody asked the Rev. Stephen Merritt to pro- 
nounce the benediction. 

Commenting on the memorial meeting, The Chris- 
tian Herald said : 

"It was a graceful and spontaneous tribute that 
was paid to the memory of Dr. Klopsch by the 



394 LIFE-WORK OF LOUIS KLOPSCH 

gathering of professional and business men and 
women in New York on April 14. Through all the 
addresses there ran a note of deep and sincere admi- 
ration for the character and work of the man, who 
through his far-reaching benevolences, and aided by 
a great army of godly people, had been the means 
of doing so much good to others. Men of every 
denomination and every station in life, from Presi- 
dent down to the humblest citizen, had been im- 
pressed with the value of that work to humanity, 
and by speech or message they freely expressed 
their views on the subject. Over all else in the 
universal estimation was Dr. Klopsch's love for the 
children, and the majority of the speakers showed 
this by their eloquent appreciation of the orphanage 
work, and of the helpful and benevolent influence 
of the Children's Home at Mont-Lawn, which Dr. 
Klopsch founded, and where forty thousand little 
children of the poor have been summer guests in the 
last fifteen years. Over the gates of Mont-Lawn he 
inscribed the words of Froebel — ' I love God and 
Little Children ' — and this furnished the real key- 
note of his life-work, although it had many other 
ramifications. This latest public expression of ap- 
proval must be exceedingly grateful to all those who 
have cooperated with him in his various charities." 
Tributes continued to be paid to the good works 
of Dr. Klopsch by the press, the pulpit, and by the 
great multitude of those who had been the bene- 
ficiaries of his philanthropy, and of those who had 
by their contributions made it possible. From far- 
off lands, weeks and months after the last tributes 



THE VOICE THAT YET SPEAKS 

had been paid here, came messages of condolence 
and of loving appreciation. Missionaries and natives 
were represented in these tokens of respect and sym- 
pathy; thousands of orphans, whom he had been 
the means of supporting and training, were repre- 
sented too. And still later, the Gospel workers in 
the world's remotest parts — in Tibet, in the South 
Pacific Archipelago, in Labrador and the frozen 
Arctic — sent letters that glowed with love and ad- 
miration for their friend, and expressed sincerest 
sorrow for the loss they had sustained in his depar- 
ture. All recognized the characteristics which made 
him a world almoner, a man with the most intense 
sympathy for his fellow man. Impulsive and enthu- 
siastic, he was a true knight of charity, for whom the 
world was a field for the practical exercise of sym- 
pathy and kindness, and to whom all men, whatever 
their color, race, or religion, were his brothers, and 
none so poor, so low, or so fallen as to be unworthy 
of kindness or incapable of gratitude. A twentieth 
century captain of philanthropy, his good deeds 
did not end with his life. From the secluded grave 
on the banks of the Hudson, the voice of him who 
in his lifetime did so much to uplift and encourage 
humanity yet speaks. 



DEC 5 rjio 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



